CHURCH AND MAORIS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29635, 4 October 1961, Page 15

CHURCH AND MAORIS

Call For More Consideration

Inability to agree on the Hunn Report on Maori-Pakeha relationships, in spite of more than two years’ attentive study, was an indication of the complexity of the problem, according to the annual report of the Diocese of Christchurch’s public and social affairs committee, presented to the Synod last evening. The report, presented by the committee’s chairman <Mr N. A. Collins) suggested that such difficulty was also an indication of the committee’s policy of restraint in making statements unless it was sure that such statements would be a worthwhile contribution towards the resolving of the matter under discussion.

The Rev. W. A. Carson, a former missionary in Pakistan, said the question of greater Maori membership in the Church should be considered more deeply. “To my knowledge, there has not been any Maori church member, ever present at this Synod. “Where are our Maori brethren? I do not think in this we have been holding out our hands in real fellowship, friendship, and support,” he said.

Another opportunity for extending a hand to peoples of other races by New Zealand Pakeha was provided by visiting Asian students, Mr Carson said.

By offering more friendship to such students, New Zealand church people had a “wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the real meaning of Christian fellowship.” Too many of these young Asian people had returned home after their years of study, not having made any effective contact with Christian people in their homes, he said.