RATANA'S INFLUENCE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19112, 22 September 1927, Page 3

RATANA'S INFLUENCE.

NOT ON THE WANE. ? : [THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, September 21. Katanaism is not on the wane accord;, ing-to the Rev. li. Tahupotiki Haddon, Senior Superintendent of the Methodist Maori Mission,, who is presiding in Auckland, over the Maori Synod, for the Auckland and Taranaki districts. He could not, therefore, agree with the Anglican Archbishop of New Zealand, Dr. Averill, who declared that Ratana's mana was departing. The Methodist Church in its dealings with Ratana, Mr Haddon explained, made no interference, neither did it proffer the somewhat trenchant criticism that came from certain other Churches. '"There is no doubt about the fact that Ratana did much to destroy many of the. old superstitions which bound the Ma< % ri people," said'.Mr Haddon. Some evidence Of Ratana's energy was the fact that several hundred acres in the vicinity of his Pa were recently ploughed and planted in wheat. Though he could, not agree that this movement was on the wane, the Maori Superintendent declared quite definitely: '.'The Mormons arc certainly at a standstill. Indeed, I am inclined to view that they have even lost ground in some places. For some years the Mormons made very rapid progress, but such is not the case to-day." Mr Haddon declares that of recent years he has seen many encouraging signs as to the future of his people. "The eyes of the young people, particularly, are being directed to the future," he says. "Gradually they are reverting to an ideal which for many years was almost entirely lost sight of." The transition from the. old-time Maori to his present-day- brother had been all too quick. Many of the ; difficulties which had arisen ,in the past were * the natural outcome of this much too rapid development.