INTEREST IN MISSIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 14

INTEREST IN MISSIONS.

DUTY OF THE CHURCH.

DISCUSSION BY WAIAPU SYNOD. The missionary needs of tho Church formed tho subject of discussion at the annual synod of tho diocese of Waiapu the other day. The subject was introducer! by Mr. G. Williams, who pointed out the problem of financing the Melanesian Mission, and instanced tho self-sacrificing labours of missionaries as sufficient incentive to tho Church at homo to do still more in this great cause. He proposed that a special committee be appointed to consider ways and means of fostering missionary enthusiasm in tho diocese.

Canon Rico pointed out that the Church of England in New Zealand had 65 missionaries in the field, and last year contributed £20.000 to missions

Mr. Wilder suggested that much more education work was needed to stimulato interest in missions, and that those best qualified to aclrcve this object wero returned missionaries.

The Rev R Hodgson spoke in defence of the missionary on furlough, and claimed that sinco foreign missions held first place iri the Church's activities it was Mie duty of church people to keep alive on missionary topics. Archdeacon Williams explained the position relating to Australian contributions to the Melanesian Mission, emphasising the point that Australia's commitments in other directions necessarily mennl added responsibility for the New Zealand Board of Missions. A commit tee was appointor! to deal with the question.