MISSIONARY ON TOUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 May 1939, Page 5

MISSIONARY ON TOUR

WALKING ROUND WORLD. EXPERIENCES IN CHINA. Clad in breeches, high boots and flannel shirt, with a pack on his back, the Rev G. A. H. Eldriedge, a Canadian missionary formerly resident in Hopei Providence, North China, arrived in Masterton this morning from Dannevirke, in the course of an extended tour of tffe Dominion. Mr Eldriedge reached Auckland recently with the intention of spending six months tramping and preaching throughout New Zealand. He will be joined shortly by his wife, who is at present in Vancouver convalescing from an illness.

Mr Eldriedge stated today that he was particularly interested in the religions of the Maoris, which he proposed to study closely. After New Zealand he and his wife intended to go west and to hike round the world, later writing a book. “Our travelling in this fashion is not a stunt.” he said. “It gives us opportunities and access to localities which otherwise would be closed to us.”

Serving as an interdenominational missionary in Kangsu and Hopei, Mr Eldriedge. accompanied by his wife, returned to Canada on furlough in 1937. When hostiliities broke out in the East they were unable to return to the field, so conceived the idea of hiking and preaching across Canada. They completed the trip early this year, then decided to continue hiking their way round 'the world, starting at the Antipodes. Mr Eldriedge expressed the opinion that Japan would never win in her present war of conquest in China. He stated that China had numerical superiority, that present efforts in China were uniting the Chinese to repel a common enemy, and that Japan had lost "face,” while China had the sympathy of the whole, world. Also, when the Chinese were roused, they were something to be reckoned with. It was a losing struggle for Japan, and she knew it. Mr and Mrs Eldriedge had intended to continue their tour by way of Australia, through the Dutch East Indies, India and Egypt, to Europe, but Mr Eldriedge now thinks it possible that the war in China may come to an end in the comparatively near future with the defeat of Japan. He and his'wife may decide to curtail their tour and return to China by way of the road which runs into the western provinces from Burma. Mr Eldriedge is definitely of opinion that Japan faces inevitable defeat and that she will emerge from the present struggle with her resources so straitened as to compel her to keep the peace for a long time.

Mr Eldriedge will stay in Masterton probably over the weekend. In the course of his-tour he has spoken in churches of various denominations. Last Sunday morning he spoke in the Methodist Church at Dannevirke.