ORAKEI MAORIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22774, 7 July 1937, Page 15

ORAKEI MAORIS

CRUSADE OF I'KAYER

INTEREST AT SETTLEMENT OLDER PEOPLE'S ATTITUDE The crusade of prayer through which the Maoris at the Orakei settlement arc seeking Divine guidance regarding the Government intimation that they must vacate the land they now occupy was continued yesterday afternoon. The prayer meetings are being sponsored by the Orakei branch of the Mothers' Union, and the gathering yesterday afternoon was conducted by the Rev. R. G. Coats, vicar of St. Luke's Church, Mount Albert, and Mrs. Coats, who has been actively associated for several years with tho work of the Mothers' "Union at the native village. There was a fair attendance of Maori residents, mostly women, and the meeting lasted for about an hour. Some of the older Maoris at the settlement seem inclined to be sceptical concerning the potency of prayer to deliver them from the present difficulties. One woman who was questioned on the matter yesterday afternoon said the Maoris were convinced that they had right and justice on their side and that in tho end right and justice would prevail. "We belong to the Church," she said, '"but some of us do not think we need to pray for something which is ours by right." No further developments are expected in the near future in the vacating of the settlement. For the time being the Maoris arc remaining passively where they are, and Nia Hira, the acknowledged chief at the settlement, said yesterday that he proposed to await further advice from the Government.