Work

C. Of E. Mission

Rearrangement in New Guinea and Norfolk Island

AN anomaly which has existed for a long time is the division of the Mis sion activities of the Church of Eng land in the Western Pacific.

The Melanesian Mission (headquarters in the Solomons) has had responsibility for the Solomons, the New Hebrides, Nor folk Island, and the Mandated Terri tory of New Guinea. The Bishop of New Guinea (head of a Queensland dio cese) has had charge of Anglican Mis sions in Papua, but not in New Guinea.

It now has been arranged that the Bishop of New Guinea shall have charge

of the whole of the mainland of New Guinea; but the islands of New Britain New Ireland and Bougainville (part of the Mandated Territory of New Guinea) remain the responsibility of the Melan esian Mission.

Responsibility for Norfolk Island (once the headquarters of the Melanesian Mis sion) has been transferred to the Arch bishop of Sydney.

There is doubt as to whether the Bishop of New Guinea has funds or facilities for undertaking mission work among the New Guinea natives. It is expected that he will limit his activities to the European community, for the pre sent.

Mr. E. G. Theodore, well-known exe cutive of the major Fiji gold companies, arrived at Suva by the February “Mari posa”.