New Hebrides Missions.

To the Editor.

Sir,— The writer was very interested to read Mr. Vogan’s articles on the missions in the Pacific, particularly with regard to Methodist traders; also the reply thereto by the general secre tary of the Methodist Missionary So ciety of Australasia.

Having had the pleasure of once travelling from Sydney to the New Hebrides with Mr. Vogan, on the old “Pacifique,” I am of the opinion that any statements made by him would be the result of careful observation. Of course he may have been “seriously misinformed,” but he appeared to me to be a gentleman who would carefully verify any statement before accepting it.

Wo have none of the Methodist mis sionaries in this group, but instead we have the Presbyterians. One of the latter arrived here a few months ago to take charge of a mission station not very far away from my place. This gentleman ha.s recently announced his intention of starting to trade, so that the natives can obtain goods at a “reasonable” price.

This missionary is in receipt of a salary which, in these days of depres sion, far exceeds the yearly income of the average planter or trader. In addi tion his goods are carried freight free (as far as he is concerned) from Syd ney—freight being paid out of a special fund. He is under no expense as re gards upkeep of boats or buildings, and he has no wages to pay. So, with all these advantages, it is quite easy to sell goods at a “reasonable” figure.

The policy of the Presbyterians seems to have been consistently antagonistic to the interests of British settlers.

They apparently overlook the fact that the smaller the British interest in the group, the stronger the case for France; and, when France takes over this group—as she undoubtedly will in the near future —the missionaries will find themselves in a very different position I will, perhaps, be accused of having a pro-French bias, but I venture to assert that my views will be endorsed by a large number of British settlers here.

I am, etc.,

S. Dubois.

Male, N.H., March 25, 1932.