METHODIST CHURCH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 7 October 1924, Page 7

METHODIST CHURCH.

HOME MISSION CELEBRATIONS. The annual services in connection with the Home and Maori Mission department of the Methodist Church were held in Hawera circuit during the week-end. On Sunday evening the pulpit at Wesley Church was occupied* by Rev. A. J. Seamer, general superintendent of Home and Maori Missions. Associated with him was a Maori party, comprising representatives of the Ngapuhi and Waikato tribes, who each’ took part in the service. Maori hymns, both ancient and modern, were by the singers. A leading chief of the W'aikato tribe, Te Aho-o-te-Rangi (Pihama) delivered an eloquent address (interpreted by Rev. A. J. Seamer), which was most instructive and certainly most stirring, as he appealed to the pakeha people of the Dominion to remove from the pathway of the growing youth of the native race the evils which were brought to this country by the white race. On Monday evening, in Wesley Hall, the Maori party entertained the large audience for over two hours with molt interesting exhibitions of native customs—ancient waiatas. stirring speeches and poi songs. The Rev. A. J. Seamer contributed much valuable information concerning the native race, which was greatly appreciated. The Rev 7 . Eruera Te Tuhi. minister of the Tvaipara district, spoke of the increased Maori population, which now .numbers 52,750. He urged the necessity of co-operation—pakeha and Maori —in the best interests of both races. He also suggested that the Government should appoint instructors to the native youths and men on the subjects of dairv farming, bee keeping and other industries. There was already co-operation in the department of sport, the Maori race being represented in the All Black team now playing in England. In education there "was co-operation also, for Maori students work side by side with the pakeha in school, college and universitv. During the Great War Maori and pakeha fought a”d died together in Gallipoli and! in France. The sneaker, again referring to the increasing native population, asked. What is going to be destinv of the Maori people? The "’timate destiny will he the menrinr of the races, therefore it was essential that in every department of our civil °”d religious life we should seek complete co-operation, which would eventually be in the best interests of our national life. The chief, in thanking the neonle for their kindly welcome and hostesses for generous ' bosnitalitv, as a parting message urged that, influence he exerted to remove the drink evil from the Maori people.