MAORI MISSION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11752, 28 November 1903, Page 5

MAORI MISSION.

WHAT THE RIGHT REVEREND MOORE RICHARD NELIGAN D.D. (LORD BISHOP OF AUCKLAND) • SAYS.

A REQUEST FROM THE RIGHT REVEREND CHURCHILL JULIUS, D.D. (LORD BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH).

The Bishop of ' Auckland says:— "The Maori Minion is a national concern. I make the Vords to his Synod of my Brother, the Bishop of Christchurch, my own and thank him for them: —Will the Church deal with it hoWly, and make it the Church's Mission to the Maoris? The General Synod must answer these questions. The spiritual care of the Maoris is the duty of the Church of the whole Province. Whether the Miasion be continued on Diocesan lines I cannot tell, but I am sure of this, that unless the three Northern Dioceses make common cause, unite their forces, and take concerted action, the Mission will be no more effective in tihe future than it has been in the past. After all, it is the man we want. One full of 'the Holy Ghost and of power will be worth more than all our Synods put together. lam confident that a genuine effort to reach the heathen Maoris will have the hearty support of Churchmen ia the South Island.' -

"But I would go further. The Church, in her Provincial capacity, must act in this matter. From what I know, it is not likely that the men who have a right to be heard, owing to their experience of the Maori Mission are prepared to advocate any less comprehensive policy. It is not beyond the wit of man to erect a 'Mission Board of the Church of the Province of New Zealand,' duly and canonically constituted. We want the living voice. Our people do hot know the facts. 'It takes a man to save a man.' Whether the man is to he a Maori-speaking missionary bishop, or a secretary to the Board, General Synod must determine."