Methodist Missionaries

To Return To Papua

AFTER many months of persistent effort, the Board of the Methodist Overseas Mission has received defi nite assurance that some of its mission aries will be* allowed to return to Papua.

Due to some misunderstanding during the general evacuation of Papua in Janu ary and February, 1942, the Methodist missionaries serving in that Territory were sent to Australia, while missionaries of other denominations were permitted to remain. The Board tried unavailingly to gain permission for some of its men to return to their stations.

Early in June, this year, the general secretary submitted a list of names and possible fields of operation to the military authorities. Official word has now come that approval will be given for the return of such men as the GOC New Guinea Force determines.

Tentative transport arrangements have been made and it is hoped that four missionaries soon will be back in Papua.