Virtual Volunteering - Mission

Mission - Part 1

Page 134

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112
B/B.
450/39.
13th April, 1943.

The Acting Superintendent
Moore River Native Settlement,
MOGUMBER.

You wrote to me on the 29th ult. about religious
matters at the Settlement. Your letter reached here on the 30th March
but was only returned from Records today for attention, hence the delay
in replying to you. I am sorry for this but a fair body of work is
going through the Department and quite a number of files are being delayed.

I note your view and appreciate the difficulties of
the situation but it is my wish that every support is to be given to
Sister Eileen in her spiritual and moral teachings. Previous instructions
have been issued about this but I am unable to locate the papers.
However, I have a recollection that a standing instruction exists that
no leave of absence is to be granted to any native to leave the Settlment
on Sunday mornings. This applies particularly to young people. You may
disagree with this view but is seems to me that spiritual and moral
guidance is a very necessary background so far as the natives are con-
cerned, especially with the young natives. Attendance at church is not a 
penalty and I cannot accept your statement that the girls are any way
disadvantaged in their day off privilege by reason of the requirement
that they should remain at the Settlement on Sunday mornings and attend
church. Sister Eileen has rather a formidable task and since I feel
that we are deeply indebted to her I would ask for your happy co-operation
in all her efforts.

Attached is a copy of the regulations for the
Missionary Resident at the Settlement. I was under the impression that
there were some other rules dealing more specifically with the church
attendance, etc., but possibly the matter has been dealt with from time
to time in correspondence on various files. If any rules exist I am
unable to locate the. However, as previously stated, Sister Eileen is
to be accorded every possible assistance in her work and it is not my
wish that any leave of absence should be granted from the Settlement on
Sunday mornings.

I note your remarks about Sister Eileen's classes
for dormitory girls after the roll call has been taken. In this respect
I think you might discuss the matter with Sister Eileen and reach an
understanding with her in regard to the return of the girls to the 
dormitories. If another member of the white staff attends the classes
or is awake and willing to return the girls to the dormitories, Sister
Eileen would be relieved of the task herself. However, the whole matter
is one for free and hearty discussion between yourself and Sister Eileen.
You could approach the matter without prejudice and say that you have
written to me and you could show her this letter if necessary.

The religious question is a long-standing one and 
since you have only been at the Settlement for a few months I naturally
would not expect you to know all its details, but these will be known to
Sister Eileen and I feel confident she will be happy to help you to
straighten out the matter even though you may have had some previous
disagreement with her on various aspects.

At least all children should attend church and this
applies also to the older girls and boys. I know it is difficult to 
enforce attendance at church, especially when the white staff do not do
so themselves. However, we must do our best to assist Sister Eileen in
inculcating a spiritual interest in those belonging to her Church; there-
fore I should be glad if you would co-operate with her as freely as
possible, even to showing her this letter.

COMMISSIONER OF NATIVE AFFAIRS.

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