MAORI AND PAKEHA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 277, 22 November 1934, Page 17

MAORI AND PAKEHA.

"SEPARATE CAMPS WRONG."

AIETHODIST LEADER'S ADVICE. "Almost all Europeans go to either one or other of two extremes in their view of the Alaori. They either assumethat the Alaori can, as a race, in this generation, reach English standards in religion and ethics, or they go to the other extreme, and, despising the Alaori,

say that he cannot be lifted out of his ignorance, superstition, and nonmoralitv," remarks the Key. R. Tahupotiki Haddon, senior superintendent of Methodist Alaori missions, and himself a Maori, in his annual report to the Synod

"The Alaori is one of the highest types of primitive people, and a potential equal even in European culture with the European, but he lias not yet attained and in the very nature of things, cannot yet attain equality. But in the future he will reach a high standard if you render him, at this present most critical phase of his development, the assistance that is'his due as our child in the Christian faith. We have before us in our Alaori mission ail intensely interesting test of our ability as a Church to grapple successfully with one of the world's most difficult problems, which has been created liy the cruelly rapid change of environment and influx of European vices and superstitions super-added to our own. We are not dealing with a segregated race, nor with a decadent people, but with a virile race which, though increasing in numbers, yet can have no future as a distinct race, and must inevitably merge with your own. In some districts the two races have already co-mingled to a surprising degree, and the present practical equality in educational advantages and rights of citizenship cannot but assist that development. Alany of the educated natives and half-castes possess social gifts of a high order, and even your most exclusive social circles reecive them as equals. These are the vanguard; the masses follow slowly, some very slowly indeed and painfully, but none the less surely. The Church must not be stampeded by any seeming immediate needs into any policy that does not lead towards our ultimate goal.

"Alany of the movements towards higher social and spiritual life are heavily handicapped and sometimes distinctly misdirected by the influence of European and American superstitions and false social standards. These influences make their impact upon the mind of the rising generation chiefly through pernicious literature and subtly demoralising pictures produced to supply the demand of a sex-crazed and excitementloving public. While co-operating heartily with those who are seeking to minimise these evil influences, we are giving our best endeavours to constructive work, and if those whom God has blessed with material goods would provide lis with the cash for the purchase

of larger stocks and equipment, we could satisfy the hunger for literature and pictures by supplying types of such that would ' gradually purify and strengthen the social and spiritual ideals of the Maori people.

"All movements that tend to separate Maori and paftcha into separate camps are fundamentally wrong, and wise leaders will not favour them, however tempting they may appear to men of short vision."