CHINA TO-DAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1840, 28 August 1913, Page 5

CHINA TO-DAY.

PROBLEMS AN]) POSSIBILITIES.

An interesting lecture on China, her problems and possibilities, with some account of Christian mission work in tliat country, was delivered by Dr. John Kirk, M.8.,.Ch.8., of Canton, at St. Andrew's Church Hall last evening. Tho hall was crowded. During the course of his address, Dr. Kirk said that a most pressing question in China at the present time was that of public_ health. There was no compulsory registration of births in Canton, no precautions wero taken for tho prevention of the spread of smallpox and other contagious diseases. He had seen peo'plo: with smallpox walking the streets and mixing with tho passers-by. Some years ago tho health question was taken up by some medical men, but the then Government would not recognise their good cause.. Medical education and the protection of tho suffering in China was ono of its greatest problems. Then there was tho problem of tho Government. The Chinese hoped that the Republic would stand strong and bring about better conditions. Though .established somo 18 months ago, conditions are just as bad. North and South had disagreed and entered upon war. One result of China being proclaimed a republic, continued the speaker, was religious liberty, and the recognition of the Chinese Christian Church. Previous to this, tho Government had refused to recognise the Christian Church and those who controlled it had no power. • , China's commercial possibilities, Dr. Kirk went on to say, were great. In a majority of her provinces, coal in abundance was lying untouched, and various other minerals wero lying unrecognised. Some years ago Germany sent out a surveyor to make a survey of the coalfields in China. His report (published in tlieso columns) contained the astounding statement that in one particular province, there was sufficient coal to supply the whole world for somo years. The report was at first discredited, but it was /confirmed by a commission, subsequently sent to China by Germany. Yot the Cliinese wero chopping trees for firewood, and purchasing conl from Japan! A number of interesting lantern views,, illustrative of the subject matter of; the lecture, were also shown.