Methodist Mission’S

Financial Crisis

THE Methodist Missionary Society of Australasia, the operations of whose 100-odd white missionaries extend over five sections of the Pacific Islands, is facing a grave crisis, not only financially but through a lack of zeal for missionary work, according to Rev. J. W. Burton, M.A., general secretary, at the annual session of the Methodist Foreign Mission Board, held in Sydney in February.

“Since 1924,” he said, “the financial position has steadily become worse until, with last year’s deficit of over £6000, the accumulated deficit is now £22,337.

“This is not wholly due to the depres sion,” continued Mr. Burton, “but to the fact that the missionary appeal has very largely, lost its glamour; the world is shrinking, and there are now no ‘unknown corners.’ Instead of enthusiasm for mis sionary work, the youth of the churches are turning their attention to economic and international problems.”

The Mission Board has decided to hand over to the Government the work of prim ary education in Fiji. The mission will still control vocational and other special schools.

A general policy for education in Papua and New Guinea was adopted. It was de cided to co-operate in every possible way with the Administrations to ensure that every child of school age was given a suitable education.

For the extension of its work in Papua, the Board decided to purchase land on Goodenough Island, in the D’Entrecas teaux Group.

Father Flynn, of the Catholic Sacred Heart Mission, Koki, Papua, sailed for the Territory by the February Montoro, after three months’ holiday in Australia.