METHODIST MAORI MINISTRY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28984, 27 August 1959, Page 11

METHODIST MAORI MINISTRY

Establishment Urged By Synod

A Maori ministry to enable services to be held in the Maori language should be established in the South Island, the Maori Mission told the North Canterbury District Annual Methodist Synod yesterday. Although the Maori population in the island was not large, the step was warranted by the great deal of work the Methodist Church was doing here to re-establish native culture. Some time ago the mission appointed a sub-committee to investigate this, and the result was a resolution formed at the Synod, to be sent to the Methodist Conference. The resolution reads: "The Synod requests the Conference to give urgent consideration to the appointment of a full-time Maori minister to Christchurch in view of the developments and opportunities now provided by the church.” Mr J. Karetai, of the North Canterbury Maori Tribal Executive, said that there was no provision at all for Maori ministryin the South Island. The superintendent of the Central Mission (the Rev. W. E. Falkingham) thought there was a unique opportunity in Maori work here. “All the descendants of the ancestors will be represented in the meeting house now being built,” he said. “I urge the Synod to consider the appointment of a full-time Maori worker in view of the developments now being provided by the church.” The Synod felt that there was a “tremendous need” for the establishment of the ministry.