Rev. Dr. Fraser

Critics of overseas projects often forget that we are aiding people, not statistical units. Dr. Ian Fraser told the "Operation 21" teach-in last Monday.

Dr Fraser, who represented Volunteer Service Abroad, spoke of this organisation's activities and of the part which the churches play in dealing with problems of hunger.

He said that the introduction of visual-communications such as television brought a new realisation of poverty to underdeveloped countries.

Speaking of prejudices, which he said were serious hindrances to development, he pointed out that a man's purpose in living is frequently his religion.

Man will give up material pleasures for a cause he believes in, he said. Thus, the Indian peasant believes in feeding sacred cows, and we must respect this belief.

He compared the case of a person suffering from lung cancer, who is not refused medical aid merely because he smoked cigarettes which, he should have known, could give him cancer.

Dr. Fraser also dealt with the aid projects of Volunteer Service Abroad, particularly education and economic self-help.