THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1042, 3 February 1911, Page 3

THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

FUTURE POLICY. .- During tho courso of his address at the Town, ■ Hall on Wednesday •. evenuoissun. jo , :)oo[c[ns oi[}- iio Sut work' in Melanesia, tho : ' ; Uight liev. Cecil Wilson, Bishop of Melanesia, made a statement with regard to the future policy of tho mission. At present the episcopal headquarters were located at Norfolk Island, which was too far distant from the centre, of tho diocese. There was a universal ciesira within the dioccso that the bishop should bo domiciled in tho midst of his flock, nnd considering all tho circumstances—better and more frequent means ot . inter-communication among the. islands of Melanesia, the gradual improvement, spiritual and mental, which Unci taken place- in tho condition of tho people, tie almost' complete disappearance of tb3 raoro- violent features it island heathendom, such as headhunting and cannibalism—he thought that the time had now como when tho wish of tho people might be given effect to. Tho transfer of tlio dioceio headquarters would impose considerable hardship upon a married bishop, who had to consider tho advantages' of his family, but for a young unmarried bishop, such a change,,of Jicatlquartprs would open up a great opportunity. This aspect; of tho .question..had influenced him in liis decision tj retire from the bishopric,; though he 'did'so' with the,keenest regret. The bishop also mado an earnest appeal to his audience for co-optration in the advancement of tho work of the Jlelanosian Mission. There was a dearth of men and women workers, particularly women workers, and many of tho outlying fields were vacant. They also desired "funds for boats for a missionary party of four, which had just arrived from England. - These boats cost £W each, and wero an essential nait of tho missionary's equipment in his visits fro:n island to island.