‘Deeply Interested in These Children Whom You Have Not Seen’

Abstract

For Australian and New Zealand children in the early decades of the 20th century, much of their learning about the Pacific Islands came through missionary material, often aimed directly at them. This paper examines the representation of Pacific peoples and societies in a number of monthly journals, sections within adult journals, books and plays designed to enthuse Sunday school children and educate them about missionary activity. Early attempts were ponderous, but Australasian societies soon followed the example of the London Missionary Society's News from Afar (available through Australian Congregational churches), which included adventure stories about children in India, China and the Pacific; news of the various John Williams ships; competitions; specialised artwork; and a generally child-friendly philosophy. Few were as successful, but some imaginative attempts were made by Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican authorities to encourage Australian and New Zealand children to identify with the missionary needs of the Pacific.