GERMAN AND BRITISH METHODS CONTRASTED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2647, 7 December 1904, Page 29

GERMAN AND BRITISH METHODS CONTRASTED.

(From Oub-Owh Cobbespohdknt.) WELLINGTON, December 1. The Rev. J. A. Crump, formerly a farmer in Maryborough, but for the pas* 11 years a Methodist missionary in New Britain, lias returned to New Zealand, and, if he can get a ehuroh, intends to remain, in the colony. Mr Crump does not share the general opinion thai the British are better colonists than the Germans, at all events as compared with our efforts in New Guinea. He says the Germans in New Britain have "licked" -us very badly. - "In the- II years of my sojourn in the Archipelago," he says, " there has been enormous development both in New , Britain and German New Guinea. There are thousands of acres of plantations which are returning great profits to the people and the Government. The Authorities are encouraging land settlement, and allow the purchase of land from the natives. Thi3 land, as good as any' in the •world, can be had very, cheap, . and the climate is all that can be desired. Yet, when young men go to British New Guinea to take up land they meet, with the very smallest encouragement." Mr Crump went on to say that British New Guinea to-day shows no improvement -on its. condition 11 years ago. * It is still stagnant with thousands of valuable acres lying waste, and nothing has been done to develop its vast resources, both agricultural and mineral. As an instance of the productiveness of the .fioil," Mr" 'Crump .mentioned that he took worth of yams from 2i acres. It is ; urgently necessary that the Commonwealth | should set about, development; in real earnest." A man who took up .land with' £500 woulS be- rich in 10 .years.' Mr Crump thiifks that - the Oodk Islands have not been a ; brilliant success 1 .- Our Government, lie thinka, has its hands full in looking after the colony itself. In N^ew Britain the mission " work is progressing very favourably, and' the" German authorities give the missionaries «very assistance. There ere five white Methodist missionaries, and the past 11 years' work has quadrupled the number of adherents. The only other detiomination engaged in missionary work in New Britain i 3 the Roman Catholic Churoh. It was in this group that -the massacre of Catholic missionaries took place some months ago. There is no danger now, says Mr Onimp. The massacre was the outcome of a personal anger ~on- the part of a few natives.