RATANA GOES ON TOUR

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 May 1928, Page 7

RATANA GOES ON TOUR

NOT INTERESTED IN POLITICS. Members of the Ratana party numbering 143, including Ratana, have returned to Wanganui from two important tours as Tar as the movement is concerned, one in the Wairarapa, and the other to Hokianga. The Wairarapa visit was undertaken for the purpose of removing a memorial stone erected by Paora Potangaroa in 1881. and placed in the meeting house at Teoreore, Masterton. In those days the Maoris were very superstitious, and while the stone was being erected certain incantations were placed upon it. Underneath the stone was .placed certain coins aggregating 15.11. made up of a half sovereign, two 2/- pieces, a shilling, sixpence, threepence and two pennies. The coins dated back to 1862. Underneath the foundation was a block of greenstone weighing 1501 b. This according to tradition, was also the subject ol incantations. As- time went on seven tohungas had volunteered to remove the memorial to another place, as it was felt bv the descendants of Paora Potaiu garoa that the sickness they suffered was due to the evil tohunga influence associated with the memorial. The Ratana party arrived on April 14. and the local people and the descendants ol Paora at once gave Ratana full power to remove the stone from the meeting house to a suitable place in the marae.

The Korero commenced on the Sunday, and with the Europeans present the strength of the gathering was brought up to 500. Ratana’s secretary voiced Ratana s greetings to the Europeans, and also gave them a review of Ratana’s mission from the inception of the movement in 1918. On the Monday Ratana and a number ol young men who had assisted in erecting the temple at Ratana, got to work and removed the memorial to the marae, where it was surrounded by a brick wall. The descendants of Paora then expressed their thanks for the service Ratana had rendered, and also their appreciation of the work of his mission since its inception, more particularly in his influence towards abolishing the tohunga; and the endeavour to bring them back to the true Creator. The apostles and sisters of the movement turned out in full force and helped to make the gathering in every way a great success. There were representatives of tribes present from all over the North Island, and from the South Island and Chatham Islands. . The Ratana party left for Hokianga on April 27, the object of the visit being the acceptance of an invitation to unveil a memorial erected to a chieftainess of that district, Ani Moananui Hare. The party landed, at Hutbia, Rangiahua, on April 29, where they were met by apostles and sisters and members of the Ratana Church, who led the procession to the marae. Altogether the gathering aggregated 4500, and included a large number of people who were not in the movement. Pleasure was expressed that Ratana had accepted the invitation, and five chiefs, Te Aupouri, Ngatikahu, Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi and Ngatiwhatu also spoke in terms of appreciation of his work. They also handed to the visitor full authority to unveil the memorial and to conduct a meeting in the hall. Members of the Maori race who were not in the movement also extended to Ratana invitations to visit their kainaas. They spoke of the work Ratana was doing in stamping out tohungas, who had been the stumbling block of many of the Maori race. Altogether the party travelled Ivoo miles, and in all. places visited were most hospitably received. The chiefs mentioned above also spoke in regard to politics and the coming election, and whether he intended to nominate four candidates representative of the movement. Ratana replied that he tiad not giv en the matter the least consideration. He was more concerned regarding the Maoris coming into his Imoyement, and the welding of a strong force of Maoris believing in the lather, the Son, the Holy Ghost, and the faithful Angels.