BOARD OF MISSIONS' NOTES.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XXI, Issue 14, 1 October 1931, Page 5

BOARD OF MISSIONS' NOTES.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF MISSIONS. This was held on the 29th August. /Much regret was felt at the absence of Archdeacons Dart and Hawkins and Canon Rice through illness. A long resolution concerning the Board's attitude to the missionary diocese of Polynesia was passed. It was to the effect that the Board would continue its support to the- diocese without question as to what was used for European and non-European work, as the two kinds of work are intertwined m Polynesia, and also that the Board could not undertake the support at present given the diocese by the S.P.G. (London) , but commends the diocese to that Society, and appeals for a continuation of its help. In regard to Maori Work, some progress was made m smoothing away difficulties and the Executive was instructed to bring up a report on the matter at the next annual meeting, with a scheme for co-ordination.

In reply to the request from the C.M.S. (London) that the N.|Z. Church would consider the possibility of undertaking the missionary work of the C.M.S. m Sindh (India) a resolution was passed expressing entire sympathy with the request but regretting that the Board could make no decision at present, but would willingly review the position at the next annual meeting. The New Budget was settled as follows: — £ Melanesian Mission . . . . 9000 N.Z. C.M.S. .. .. .. 6010 Chinese Mission (N.Z.) .. 350 Polynesia . . . . . . 650 North China (S.P.G.) .. .. 650 Jerusalem and East . . . . 450 Board's Own Missionary . . 250 Board's Own Requirements . . 2500 Development and Contingencies - 500 £20,360 The Diocesan Percentages (Quotas) remain the same as last year's, and work out as follows: — £ Auckland 18% .. .. 3665 Christchurch 22% .. .. 4479 Dunedin 9£% . . . . 1934 Nelson 8% .. .. 1629 Waikato 6% .. .. 1221 Waiapu 15£% .. .. 3156 Wellington 21% .. .. 4276 £20,360 A resolution on propaganda was passed recommending the Executive to consider ways and means of increasing revenue by propaganda throughout the Province, and suggesting the setting up of a Finance Sub-Committee to meet regularly to advise the Executive. A deputation was received from the National Missionary Oommdttee .advocating co-operating with other Churches m observing St. Andrews'tide as a special time for prayer for missions. It was thanked for its visit and the Executive was instructed to co-operate m the plan as far as might be practicable. Resolutions of thanks were passed to Bishop and Mrs. Mowll, and the Rev. W. W. Cash for their inspiring visits; also to the staff and honorary workers. The Southern Cross sailed on September 15th, taking Bishops Molyneux

and Dickinson, Miss Broughton and Sisters Leishman and Stead. MisS Broughton and Sister Leishman are returning from furlough to their stations at Raga and Torgil respectively. Sister Stead is a trained nurse proceeding to Bugotu. Bishop Dickinson, after his consecration, gave addresses m Wellington, Levin, Marton, New Plymouth and Auckland. He also paid a visit to Rotorua. He has made /himself many friends m New Zealand and many prayers will follow him to his work, and m his work m Southern Melanesia. A Message from Bishop Molyneux. Speaking m Wellington- last month Bishop Molyneux said: — "It is as easy for Melanesian Christians to lead their own lives and never bother about the heathen around them as . it is for you, and it is equally wicked. "We send people not two by two but one by one, and it is wrong. Miss Broughton will be the only white woman m Raga. "We have fourteen villages now waiting for teachers." The New Budget' is commented on m the September issue of the "Reaper." To ask for an increase m such a year was undoubtedly a venture of faith on the part of the Board. Yet it was done after earnest prayer and deliberation, and one cannot doubt that it was due to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To the Spirit all will look for the supply of all the needed money this year. It is a call to believing prayer and zealous work. Our Austrailan Cousins. — At a midyear meeting of the Australian Board of Missions, held on 30th July, m Sydney, the following important resolution was passed: — "That the Board, believing that the greatest danger facing the world today is the danger of a God-less Civilisation, desires to call the Australian Church (a) to a closer study of the present world-wide effort to establish civilisation upon a basis of atheism, and of the challenge which this effort presents to the Christian Church, and to its missions m non-Christian lands; (b) to renewed and increased support of the missions for which the Australian Church is responsible, and especially those which are m closest, contact with the problem." F. C. LONG.