Methodist Missions

Members Seeking Return to Papua

AS all the Methodist Mission stations in Papua—with the exception of one on the extreme tip of East Cape— were on small islands east of the main land, and as there was a great deal of confusion in Samarai concerning evacua tion orders, all Methodist missionaries returned to Australia in January.

But, now that the military authorities are sending patrol officers into various districts of Papua, and also in view of the fact that members of other mission organisations have, in certain cases, been permitted to remain, negotiations for the return of several Methodist missionaries are in progress with the General Officer Commanding the New Guinea Forces at Port Moresby, The Methodists appear to be much distressed at the thought that they may be regarded as having deserted their native charges. The original orders they received, io depart, apparently were peremptory and mandatory.

Mr. Gordon F. Russell, of Suva, has been appointed chief officer of the LMS auxiliary schooner, “John Williams”. Mr.

Stanton Page, who has been chief offi cer of the vessel for some time, has gone to New Zealand to take up some special war work.