Page 10 Advertisements Column 1

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19584, 14 September 1925, Page 10

TRADITIONS OF TAHAKOPA. TO THE EDITOR. Sjb—The point that strikes mo in regard to the drinking habits of some of the young jnen of Tahakopa is that it is left to a police court case to show how little is done by our religious bodies to provide suitable occupation or entertainment at nights for these youths. The evidence given during tho hearing of the case left it quite clear that the only entertainment was a picture show once a week —and “keg” parties. What have the social services of the various religious denominations got to say about the traditions of Tahakopa? Funds are always available for the Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and other denominational bodies to enable missionaries to be Bent across the seas to save the “benighted heathen” —whether he wants to be saved or not, or whether or not he contends that his own particular religion is better than that of any other. I do not desire to be unkind, but I cannot help feeling that ■whereas a missionary might bo eager and ■willing to travel miles across the sea to Bave heathens, he or she would absolutely refuse to go to Tahakopa to save Europeans. There are no heroics about the latter task—nothing spectacular. Tho missionary movement in foreign lands may have its uses. Some much-travelled people sav it has none, but that it is a menace. Moreover, they also state that the number of heathens allegedly saved can never compensate for , the of British soldiers who have had to give their lives during the past years to save the white missionaries who have got into danger while saving the heathen. Is a heathen ever really saved? Can the leopard change his spots? In the recent outbreaks in China it is noticeable that no information has been cabled stating that the saved heathens had helped their white spiritual advisers. As soon as the outbreaks occurred steps were taken to get the missionaries back to the coast, and away from their flocks, saved or only in the process of being saved. Charity begins at home and that is why I always refuse on principle to give one penny to any missions fund. Bet us get a New Zealand missionary- or two hack from overseas and send them : nto country towns like Tahakopa. They should bo able to do good work, and certainly get better results than they are able to secure in foreign lands. I have lately been reading of some deplorable incidento in the missionary movement—but to me they only seem vorv odd. The heathen gets so-tangled out when the missionaries of tho various sects tell him that theirs is the one and only religion, and not the other missionary’s, that ho becomes quite confused, and, going on the principle of a bird in the hand is wortW two in the hush, finally sticks to Me own heathen religion. It Would he very interesting to know how many religions—white and black—there are in the world to-day. — l am, etc., Xooxooiutsx.