RATANA CHURCH

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 7, 8 July 1935, Page 7

RATANA CHURCH

MEMORIAL GATES

UNVEILED ON FRIDAY

The Katana Church, which Jias been in existence for len years and now claims many thousands of adherents all over the Dominion, celebrated its jubilee on Friday last at the Ratana Native Settlement, when a memorial archway and gates were unveiled by Mr. T. W. Ratana, who founded the movement. Erected some fifty yards in front of the Temple, the archway and gates, a photograph of which appears on this page, conform largely to European design. They were dedicated to "the Glory of God, to commemorate the date on which Mr. Ratana became a Divine healer (November 8, 1918) and

have been erected to the memory of

Mr. Ratana's three sons—Arepa (Alpha), Omeka (Omega), and Hamuera (Samuel)—who died assisting their father in his work."

Adherents to the Ratana Church

from all parts of the Dominion gathered at the settlement last week to

attend the celebration, which was colourful and imposing, displaying the

faith of the followers of the church. A procession, led by the RatanaMorehu brass bands, included Mr.

Ratana and. members of his family,

school children from the pa, the Temple choir, and the choirs of other Ratana churches 'from various parts of the

Dominion, the sisters and apostles of the church, the Akonga (disciple), and different bodies representative of the administration of Ratana Village Settlement. The procession also included members of Ratana women's hockey and men's Rugby football teams.

The celebrations were continued until yesterday, and it was expected to conclude with a Maori sports tournament today, for which Mr. Ratana

provided three cups for competition. Each cup bears the name of one of his dead sons. There is the Arepa Memorial Cup, the Omeka Memorial Cup, and the Hamuera Memorial Cup. One is for Rugby, another for ladies' '•'hockey, and the - third for men's 'hockey. • Activities at Ratana cast memories back;to, the latter days of 1918, and beginning of 1919, says the "Wangatiui Chronicle," when Tahu Wiremu Ratana first discovered that he was endowed with the powers of a faithhealer. Sceptics were confounded with the cures which took place and news of what had happened .penetrated to the four corners of the globe. People crowded to /the prophet's doors, besieged.him with letters, telegraphed hinv sought to converse with him on the telephone. Ratana, to his everlasting credit, made it clear that he regarded his powers as Divine, and would-nqt stoop to-sully them in a mercenary way. He regarded himself as idestined to save his own race. From the time he made his position clear on those points the fervour from European fields waned, and although the faith has still prevailed within Maori ranks, it has dwindled so far as Europeans are concerned. Among his own people, however, Ratana is still the leader, still the prophet, and although the centre of his activities is now surrounded by the comparatively placid atmosphere of a -communal farm, the fire and purpose of the church lives ; on. Within the temple walls is sacred ground. ..Be-,' neath and beyond the gateway .and arch which were unveiled on Friday reposes the real throne of the Ratana

movement.

It has survived a-long

period of complacency from the Eurowith- the preseutiacfe ■ tivities, - looks • like blossoming - anew. Numerically, the Ratana movement represents the strongest Native force in this country. In almost every ■ corner of the Dominion where Natives have standing there is a.spark of.the movement which glows and wanes in accord.with.the pulse beats of headquarters. Every now and again the settlement sends forth its call.iand'it is ■ invariably answered fully ' and spiritually. - "•■■';.; The Ratana Settlement has played its. partsj from a citizenship standpoint, and. has taken its place so far as sport is concerned with the utmost dignity and success. Wanganui, especially this season, has had reason- to thank\ the powers which have encouraged • the sporting tendencies of ■ the Natives. A fine senior. Rugby fifteen is playing in the Metropolitan, Union competitions, and that spectacular player, T. Chase, is now under the Ratana banner, carrying, its faith and beliefs with him to .Australia as a member, of the Maori AH Blacks. In hockey, too, the Ratana name has been in Wanganui. When, the Wanganui Carnival was promoted last summer the Ratana-Morehu Brass Band and. representatives from the settlement aided the city to the full, providing spectacular and historical displays which will long be remembered.