A MAORI DIOCESE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 261, 4 November 1925, Page 15

A MAORI DIOCESE.

(To tup Kilitor.) j Sir,—T notice in the papers that some of the synods of the Church of .England, have voted for a separate Maori Dio--1 cose. This is, no doubt, an attempt to deal with the very real problem that has arisen in Maori affairs; in their 1 relationship, "t any rate, with tlu» church life of that race. I write to 1 say that this attempt is ill-advisod because it is contrary to the best iu(erests of both Maori and European, and possesses no elements of permanency. 1 Allow inn to state the problem. Tlie ; world-wide nationalist movement is powerfully influencing the Maoris qf ; this land. The revival of interest among them in church activities (and. also, of course, in superstitious cults and in politics) is deeplycoloured by it. This revived interest also reveals the need that exists for ja. Dominion wide Maori mission policy; and the race, consciousness has increased the restlessness of any pixkeha missionaries anil native clergy who feel they are under the control of bishops who do not thoroughly understand Maoris or Maori missions. The Katalia movement makes the problem much more , acute. How is the problem to be solved ? Anyone attempting - this must consider!carefully that the full blooded Maori is . disappearing. The papers have beett j quoting the Rev. A. J. Seamer, a'reeogi nised authority, as stating this fact : recently. The process is a very slow I one (it is one we all regret),'but it is a sure one. It is the Maori of mixed blood who is increasing. The ultimate fusion of the two races is inevitable. It is essential, therefore, that only the very highest ideals should dominate Maoris, half-castes and Europeans during the process of fusion. In this matter the Maori lias something I for the European—but tlie European I has nluch more for the Maori, not all .Ms own, for much of it lie himsolf '• received from others. To draw the ! colour line, then, at all strictly is clearly a mistake. The mistake of, the j man who takes only the short range ! I view. YVo rannnt ignore the colour : i line altogether: there is a difference,. ■ i after all, between Maori and European. I But we must nini at such a policy that . j the Maori children and our own shall < : take the same path of development in. ■ i religious, social and political life, and J not be kept apart. ■ I The policy of a separate diocese may ! j prove attractive to some of the Maori ' J clergy, and even to some European mia- '• J sionaries, but it is wrong. The Govi i ernment of the country is better - j advised in taking another course—and ! aiming gradually at full equality and 1 I full co-operation in education and all Mother walks of life. If a separate • j diocese be formed, let it be as a niis- ■ sion, and let the best man (regardless ■J of colour) be put in charge. In the ; j South Island, where the Maoris are a '• I little ahead in education of most of ■ ] the North Island natives, this proposal •I of a separate diocese will probably bo > rejected; and where the South Island ; stands to-day in this matter, the north • will stand to-morrow. The younger ' Maoris who are supporting at "present ■ the proposal to form a separate diocese ' are not acting in the best interests of ■ their own people or of the country.— s I am, etc., I'AKKHA. s _