CHANGING CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23299, 17 September 1937, Page 7

CHANGING CHINA

YOUTH DOMINATING EXPULSION OF OLD IDEAS That the world's knowledge of China ia still very superficial was the first point emphasised by the Rev. A. E. Small, of Shanghai, who is visiting New Zealand under the auspices of the London Missionary Society, in an address delivered in the Jubilee Hall last evening. News of ordinary happeningsin China never reached the newspapers, he said, with the result that when in abnormal conditions news was broadcast, people had no background to enable them to understand the situation. "There are still some people who think of China as a country living in savagery," he said—"a country of pigtails and bound feet. But changes are taking place in China as quickly as, or even more quickly than, in any other part of the world. New ideas are spreading like fire, and the extent to which they are being adopted is reflected in easier travel, daily aeroplane services, the growth of broadcasting, and in a hundred other ways." The decay of the old religious ideas was a striking evidence of the development of the country. China's old religion could be best described as a primitive animism, a belief that spirits animated all things, and that it was necessary to placate them in order to avoid evil. However, new ideas were resulting in disbelief in any superstition. Students and the young people generally were taking a great interest in scientific materialism. Literature of this nature was being translated into Chinese, and the works of Huxley, Betrand Russell, and other writers were being devoured. "In the light of the failure of modern civilisation in other parts of the world, there is natural fear for China's future." Mr Small S3ld * CHINA'S YOUTH .

The youth of China was taking an increasingly important part in the affairs of its country, he continued. To-day there were fewer greyheaded men in positions of authority than there were in any other country. The former reverence for age was definitely being superseded by the attitude that it was the duty of the young people to modernise their country on the Western pattern. In every town and village streets were being widened, old city walls were being pulled down, lighting by electricity was becoming the custom, modern transport was the rule—all accomplished by the younger men Young women, too, were taking an active part in the progress of their country. The professions were open to them, and they were taking their full share of responsibility. "Students also are a force that has to be considered," Mr Small went on. "They constitute the only effective voice for or against the Government since they form the biggest percentage of the literate population. The 193132 anti-Japanese boycott, for example, was driven by them. They picketed wharves, threatened shops selling Japanese goods, and went as far as to seize a train and attempt to drive to Nanking. Finally, by their demonstrations, they forced the Government to resign. The headships of colleges and schools are in the hands of younger men and women trained in the modern school." THE FAMILY UNIT The principle of the family as the unit of the nation was dying.. Now the young people were demanding the right to choose their own partners In life, resentment at parental arrangements for marriage being given practical expression. They were trying to make marriage something romantic. " China is in a state of flux," he concluded. " Christianity is being applied in some cases to business lives, but the whole country is almost asking, Who will show us something good? There is a unique opportunity to share with China the Gospel which has meant so much to our own lives." SAMOA'S DIFFICULTIES

Miss Ngaire Mill, who is stationed in Samoa, spoke briefly of the difficulties and hopes in her field of work. Samoa was still very much tied by old beliefs and customs, she said, and there was scope for great work. Mr Small and Miss Mill were, on the motion of the chairman (Mr J. Abernethy). thanked for their addresses. They will spend a week in Dunedin and conduct a programme of meetings organised by the Otago Auxiliary of the London Mislsonary Society.