THE TROUBLE IN CHINA

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1926, Page 7

THE TROUBLE IN CHINA

MISSIONARIES BLAMED ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW REPLY FROM THE CHURCHES By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Dtee. 3. Lord Inchcape, addressing the shareholders at the P. and O. meeting mentioned the losses of the company through the Chinese trouble, and expressed the opinion that missionaries were largely responsible for the antagonism. He asked how we should regard the Chinese if they studded Britain with Buddhist missionaries. Christian missions, were justifiable among Cruel and uncivilised peoples, but not attempts to break down China’s ancient faiths, The sooner we gave up Indian and Chinese missions the better. The Rev. Mr. Hoare, a shareholder, protested that the missionaries did not disparage the Chinese religion, but marely tried to show that their teach ings -were fulfilled by Christianity. Mis sions were in no wise responsible for the unrest. Those acknowledging the supremacy of the Head of the church must continue missions whether they conflicted with the P. and O. Company or other interests. Lord Inchcape did not reply. “I wonder if Lord Inchcape is aware that missionaries work in China under exactly the same treaty provisions as commercial men,” said Mr. Barclay, secretary of the Church Missionary Society. adding; "If the Chinese dislike the missionaries, what about the business men. The P. and O. officers possess ths same right, but no more right than missionary organisations. The Chinese probably realise that the P. and O. men operate in China for their own profit, whereas the missionary’s aims are altruistic. Letters from our people In Western China, where there is considerable anti-foreign feeling, show that they are well treated.”