GERMANY AND COLONIES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 409, 16 April 1937, Page 5

GERMANY AND COLONIES

QUESTION OF RETURN. PROPAGANDA IN NEW GUINEA? I Bishop O’Shea Replies To Attack On Missionaries. Press Association —Copyright. Auckland, April 16. When his attention was drawn today to the remarks, as reported in a Press Association message, of R.t. Rev W. H. Baddeley, Bishop of Melanesia, concerning some Catholic missionaries, and their alleged propaganda work in New Guinea. Archbishop O’Shea stated that it was extremely unfortunate that the Bishop of Melanesia should, see fit to make; such charges. His Grace remarked that the reason given for thinking that Roman Catholic missionaries were a source of propaganda regarding the return of territory to German control was inertly negative. Apparently no positive evidence was brought forward to support the charge. As Englishmen, the Anglican clergy should follow the sound lines of English jusica and prefer no charge that was not supported by positive evi- ; dence. I “Also, surely the whole world ! know Germany wants her old coli onies,” added .Bishop O’Shea. "Moreover, it is scarcely creditable that Catholic missionaries would , be anxious to live under Nazi rule.’’ , The remark of the Bishop of Melanesia about the methods of Catholic missionaries was also much to be, regretted. “While a Bishop can use hit freedom of choice to adopt methods of his ov.'n,” stated Bishop O’Shea, “it, does not appear to be just to condemn in such manner missionaries who Will have no opportunity to reply. to accusations m|at)e c.gainsjf them. That is hardly British.” Bishop O’Shea, indicated that in the abs ence of any specific information on the subject he could only deplore the attack made on men who give their lives for the cause of their faith. “In the British mandated territory of New Guinea difficulty is being ex perienced in tracing a good deal of missionary propaganda going on, said the Right Rev. W. H. Baddeley, Bishop of Melanesia, in an address to the Anglican Synod at Hamilton The bishop said there was? a good deal of propaganda being spread in the territory, giving the people a definite impression that the day was coming when the Germans' Would come back into possession of territory again. ‘‘Th© majority are Roman Catholic clergy,” he proceeded. ‘“Being German they seem to be the only possible origin of the propaganda. I have no grudge against the Roman Catholic missionaries. Good luck to them, but they are in a British administrative area ano no privilege's, they may enjoy shou.d be abused to build up anti-British propaganda.”