MAORI MISSION

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 290, 7 September 1928, Page 12

MAORI MISSION

Sir, —Kindly allow me space to reply to the report of Canon W. G. Williams, on the Maori Mission, which appeared in your paper.

Although I am not one of Rat ana’s followers, I shall take the responsibility of replying .in his defence, regarding the outburst made by Canon Williams. Ratana has every right according to the laws of God. and the laws of all countries, to establish a church for Him and his people. Ho built his church upon Ibe same rock, and the same Gospel, as hundreds of other churches in (he wide world. Ralana is the head of his church anil has no one to interfere with his administration. I consider that Ratana is entitled to a certain amount of credit for the way he had uplifted his native race from the evils of this world, and induced them to lead a religious life. Ratana has proved to the world beyond a doubt his faith-healing power, therefore, it is ridiculous for. any right-thinking man to condemn Ratana’s movement in that direction. ... It was the late Rev. Marsden who first planted the seeds of Christianity upon New Zealand soil, at the Buy of Islands, in the year 1814, and his name will ever live in the hearts of his native race. In the year 1838 Te Rauparaha, who was one of the greatest generals of the Maori race known in history. was taken prisoner on board a battleship. Matene Te Whiwhi. by virtue of birth and rank as a great Rangatira and leader of the Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Toa tribes, with power unchallenged through the length and breadth of the Otaki district, feared that a civil war would arise between the natives and Europeans, after Te Rauparaha was taken prisoner. He then went on board, mid said to Te Rauparaha: “Sir! What is your command after you leave us?” Te Rauparaha at that very moment turned Christian, aud replied: “Do not sepay

me with evil; but repay me with peace. At that time, several tribes had already taken up arms. Matelie Te Whiwhi, in addressing the chiefs, said: ‘‘Gen* tiemen, I have the order of our chief iu command not to repay him with evil, but repay him with peace, and I am now going to ask you all to obey that command, and put down your arms for all time. I am going at once to the Bay of Islands to ask the chiefs of the Ngapuhi people to share with us their new God, which was founded in the year 1814, and I feel certain as I stand in your presence, that this will be the sole means of obtaining everlasting peace among our people.” Matene Te Whiwhi, with Tamihana Te Rauparaha,'who was the only son of the famous general, went forth to the Bay of Islands for that purpose, aud the chiefs of Ngapuhi willingly granted them the Gospel of God with Rev. Hadfield, who became Bishop Hadfield. Soon afterwards, peace was declared, and Heavenly blessings and goodwill reigned supreme among the people of the Otaki district, under the ruling guidance of God, and that of the British Empire. It was from that day the dividing line was established beween cannibalism and goodwill, and between right and wrong. This boundary as established in the Otaki district, was also established throughout the whole of New Zealand, for the benefit of our rising generations, aud generations to come. Matene Te Whiwhi, in addressing the chiefs from all parrs of New Zealand, at the celebration of the opening of our famous temple (namely, Rangiatea Church) iu the year 1542, said: “Gentlemen, I have ceased surveying the earth; I now survey Heaven, and I have already appointed a King in Heaven (meaning the Lord Jesus Christ). I am now going to appoint a king for the earth (namely King Potatau, the first Maori King). My council is the shadow of Heaven, and my government has also descended from Heaven.” In the year 1880, our elders erected the Jubilee Pole, to commemorate the date when the first seeds of Christianity were sown in the Otaki district, and we, the people residing between Otaki and Palmerston North, are direct descendants of the chiefs aud leaders of the native tribe known as the Ngati Raukawa, and have faithfully maintained that religious understanding which has so uplifted them to such a peace-loving tribe. We were born as Christians, and educated to such a standard as to fully understand the meaning of the Ten Commandments of God. Therefore, if this is the sound of the voice of our shepherd and superintendent in his report on the Maori Mission, it will only mean one thing, and that is the scattering of his flocks in all directions. In voicing the minds of my people between Otaki and Palmerston North, we hereby advise the rev. gentleman to coniine himself strictly to the public roads, and on no account should he call at our homes again. Therefore, he shall have nothing more to complain about, aud no one will be offended, but the tar aud stones of the main highways. Our preceding advice, however, will not prevent us from faithfully resuming the work of our Lord, and further broadcasting the Gospel teachings to our rising generations, and continue to serve the Lord of our elders, who is the King of Kings, and the Ruler of Rulers, among ourselves, without anyone interfering with us. We are very pleased, indeed, of the appointment of the Reverend F. A. Bennett as the Bishop of Aotea-roa, but regret that our first Maori, bishop was not given full authority and administration over his native race. Let us all hope, however, that the restriction will be removed in the near future. I have this day posted to Canon W. G. Williams my uniforms as Lay Reader.—I am, etc., KI PA ROERA. Ngati Raukawa, Ohau, August 30.