Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-13
FROM FAR NEW ZEALAND.
An Ecumenical Delegate Who Represents the
Whole of Australasia.

An Ecumenical Delegate who Represents the
Whole of Australasia.
Small tracts of country are represented in
the conference by large delegations, while
geographical subdivisions Of enormous magni-
tude have but single representatives. The Rev.
William Morley of New Zealand comes to the
conference as the representative Of the whole
Australasian Methodist Church. which is an
independent organization. having jurisdiction
over the British colonies of New South Wales
Queensla nd. Victoria. South Australia, Western
Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania and Fiji
.'These eight colonies" said Mr.. Morley to
STAR reporter, ''have total area Of $500, 900
square miles, about equal to the territory of
the United States. Vast stretches Of fertile
lands are still unoccupied, as the European
population is only 100000. The two largest
cities are Melbourne with 100000 people and
sydney with $50, 600. There are many smaller
but fourishing towns and cities Wooden. iron
and wood work manufactures have been estab-
lshed in the various center but the larger part
Of the people are still engaged in agricultural
and pastoral pursuits Mining for gold. silver,
tin and coal is carried all the colonies with
excellent resultsr There is q large shipping
trade and vessels used are largely owned in the
colonies, especially III New Zealand. The num-
Der OF the population affords u very imperfect
gauge of the trade, as is evidenced by the fact
that in New Zealand $40 600 people all told an
nually export fl0, 000. GOO worth OF produce. In
all these colonies there is manhood suffrage
and men Of brain power can rise to any posi-
ton Of political power in tho parliamenis. In
recent elections several artisans were elected
as members Education ID under the charge of
the state and is free, secular, and compulsory
by state provision. Lads Of ability may 90
from primary and secondary schools to uniyer-
stiles without cost to their parents
,vl,S hav csale 81,
ism was planted in the southern world. and In
most colonies it has history Of only half a
century. Yetalfeady the WcSleyan church has
over 500 ministers, 1900 churches and as many
other preaching places Other branches Of
English Methodisln are also represented and
have probably $50 ministers. Nine colleges
have been equipped and furnished, and today
throughout the colonies one in eight Of the
population is an adhercnt Of the Methodist
church. Missions in the South Sea Islands are
conducted from these colonies and have gained
great success Over ninety native ministers
have been ordained, 1000 local preachers are
employed, while l, 200 churches have been built
at the cost Of the people themselves, and
IOO, 600 people in Fiji, Friendly Islands, Samoa
and New Britain worship in our sanctuarias
A mission to southeastern New Guinea and the
adjacent islands has been undertaken this year.
and four European minister's and thirty natives
have gone forth to it.
''rhe prospects Of Australasia and Of Method
Ism there are most nOpelul. With U inagnih-
cent climate, fertile soil and rich mineral
| wealth. population nust rapidly increase and,
with free political institutions and the oppor-
tunities of thorough education, there il grand
material for Christian teachers to work upon.
'.Within tho torn Of my own ministry OF
twcnty-eieht years population has increased
beneath the southern cross by 300 per cent,
and the future progress viii be even more
rapid. movement is now on foot to units
| these colonies in one commonwealth. Whether
this eventuates or not young and vigorous ma
tons are rapidly growing up, Anglo saxon In
tons, both 70, Britain and the Unissd Statss."