LONG ILLNESS ENDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21549, 31 October 1944, Page 4

LONG ILLNESS ENDS

MR. H. T. RATANA, M.P. WESTERN MAORI MEMBER (P.A.) WANGANUI. Oct. 31. The death occurred at . Rat ana pa yesterday of Mr. Hadmi Tokouru Ratana, M.P. for Western Maori, aged 50 years. Mr Ratana was a son ot the late Mr. ir. T. Ratana, who shortly after the last war became world famous as a faith healer and founder of the Ratana movement. On the death ol his father his son succeeded to the

leadership of the movement. He served in the last war for more thah three years as a member of the Maori Pioneer Battalion. Returning to New Zealand he took up dairy farming at Wangaehu. and he became the leader of his people in 1939. He unsuccessfully contested the Western Maori seat in 1922. 1928, 1930 and 1931 as an Independent, and was successful in 1935, also as an Independent. He was re-elected ip 1938 as a Labour candidate. - In 1924-25 he toured the world with ,his late father. He suffered a long illness in recent years. PREMIER’S SYMPATHY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 31. Beep regret at the death of Mr. H. T. Ratana, M.P., was expressed last evening by the Prime Miniser, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, who extended his sympathy to the relatives, members of the Ratana movement and electors of Western Maori. Mr. Ratana, said Mr. Fraser, was certainly handicapped latterly by illhealth. clue to the effects of gas in the last war, but he was a good and conscientous member, always imbued with the desire to give of his best for his people and the electorate, as well as the Maori race generally. He was of gentle temperament and was anxious to strive for the welfare of all the people {of New Zealand, pakeha as well as Maori. Everyone wh° knew him held hint in the highest regard. He was a most successful and worthy representative of his race. His passing away was a great loss to the Maori people and New Zealand, .

Immediately he received news of Mg. Ratana’s death Mr. Fraser dispatched a telegram of sympathy m Maori to the assembled .tribes.