MISSIONARY WORK IN FIJI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 94, 17 May 1909, Page 3

MISSIONARY WORK IN FIJI.

The story of Methodist missionary work in Fiji makes very interesting reading. The Rev. I{. Poole, who Js just uow in New Plymouth, and lectures to-night in the Wliiteley Hall, has been in Fiji for nearly six years, and has a story to tell of tJk) progress the Church is making in the groups. For four years he was ou the island of, Kadaru, and the remainder of the time on Taviuni, in the Cakaudrovc group. He is now jon furlough, and, as is the practice with Methodist missionaries, is doing deputation work in the interests of the missionary society. He has been through the North Island, and hopes to return to Fiji early in July. Speaking to a newspaper representative, Mr. Poole said the mission had been wonderfully successful right from its inception; in fact, the history of Methodist iiussion work in t''ijj furnishes one of the most wonderful stories in connection with the evangelisation of any race. The native population consists of something like 8(1,01)0, and there are in addition some 35,01)0 cooiics whp have been brought from India to work on the sugar plantations. A mission among the Indian population has been established and is' being carried on by the Kcvs. J. W. Burton, C. liavin, and H. Piper. "■We have arrived," said Mr. Pojole, '■ at a time iu our history as a mission in Fiji when we have to make a new departure in the way of providing higher education for the people. To tliis end we have established at Avui Lcvn, on the Bewa river some 12 utiles from Suva, a very line educational cofynry, consisting of a high school for the belter education of Fijians. There i, a central theological Pijstitmjon for the training of teachers, and the Baker Memorial College for tile training [if candidates for tile native ministry, under the presidency of the Kev. W. Bennett, M.A. The site is a very tine one, ami the appearance of the many buildings along the bank of the river is one of which wc are very proud." In answer to a question as to the effect of the mission uppn the natives, Mr. Poole said that so great was the inllucnce of Christianity upon the minds of the Fijians that a people who were once looked upon as the most ferocious savages and cannibals in the Pacific are to-day the most law-abiding and easily managed people iu existence. Amongst the Fijians, life and property are more secure than amongst the people in sonic parts of the Hjomeland. " That," added Mr. Poole, " is a big statement to make, but it is true." Is any progress being made amongst the Indian coolies? "The coolies," replied Mr. Poole, "come from a lower strata in India, and missionary work among them is necessarily slow and tedious, and the men and women engaged in it deserve all our sympathy and support. Bad as the coolie is, he is not improved by the influence and example of some of own race. Very |often when tragedies are enacted by these people, the white men were merely reaping what they had sowed." Are these coolies indentured?

"They come under engagement for live, years, at the end of which time they may return to India or remain in Fiji as free men. .Many prefer to remain, and take up laud and grow eaiii. So they come into competition with the Europeans. In tins connection there is an ugly problem, with the decreasing Fijian population and the increasing Indian population. Unless we can influence th • millds of these Indian people we may again have Fiji a hcnuien country, with a 'heathenism worse than before. So we are making every endeavour we can to train men and provide means in order that we may evangelise these (yiolicv ■Mr. Poole added that a branch of] the Australian Methodist Missionary Society's work had been opened in India. The Church's motto was -Wo forward." The Methodists were essentially missionary, recognising that the world was their parish. Mr. Poole paid a warm tribute to the noble-hearted women who were giving their time and talents for the uplifting of the Fijian people. But for their teaching and advice there would imdoubtedlv be greater infant mortality. In concluding. Mr. Poole referred to t|„. recent agitation by which native hv representation win instituted, ami stilted that the llrst -yiiod at wind lay representatives were present was recently held.