METHODIST CHURCH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1943, Page 3

METHODIST CHURCH

y.— — FELLOWSHIP MEETING. ADDRESS ON NEW GUINEA. Last evening the Methodist Men’s Fellowship held an enjoyable tea meeting at which the Rev. A. H. Voyce gave a most interesting address on New Guinea. Mr Voyce said that the country was famous for its gold and its freight carrying aeroplanes. Fine gold worth £2,000,000 was exported each year. By use of Junkers freight carrying planes the journey to the goldfield which used to take 12 to 14 days now took 25 to 30 minutes. The fleet of freight planes was the largest in the world. The native population of New Guinea had to pay a head tax of 10s per annum in default imprisonment for the p rivilege of living in their own country and receiving the benefits of social amenities for which they were forced to give their services without 1 wages. On account of a line of demarcation between Bourgainville and the Shortland Islands the natives were prevented from visiting their relatives and debarred from their tribal property. A gradual relaxation of the regulations regarding the line was coming in when the Japanese invaded the country. At the mission at Tihili, sago, rice, cocoa, etc., was raised. Mr Voyce said that the sago palm from the middle of which sago came was one of the most stately palms to be seen . After referring to his missionary work and other interesting matters Mr Voyce answered a number of questions. Mr Voyce was thanked for his address and a vote of thanks to the ladies for the excellent fare provided was carried by acclamation.