MAORI MISSION

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 226, 22 August 1928, Page 8

MAORI MISSION

ENTERTAINMENT AT CUBA STREET CHURCH.

“Hacro mai eto manahuri tuarangi, to kotuku rerenga tahi” (welcome o rare white crane of single flight; welcome, o stranger from beyond the skies 1) Such were the strains of the chant of welcome raised by the Maori maiden of Taranaki to tho representatives of the Methodist Maori Mission last evening at the Cuba Street Church which was crowded for the occasion.

Rev. j. D. McArthur expressed the pleasure and privilege he felt at being associated with Rev. A. J. Seamer and his Maori party, tho ideals of whom and their thoughts were in sympathy with his. He extended a welcome”to them on their return visit.. Mr Seamer thanked tho assemblage for their welcome and told them some of the difficulties of a mission. There was a great field for work for young women who would act as deaconesses and there was a great need for both Maoris and Europeans who would he prepared to work amongst the settlers of both races who lived in the back-blocks. In order that this work might reach a stage of efficiency, it was necessary to make an extensive appeal for funds. There was also another great difficulty in the Maori mission field, and that was the invasion of other religions cult who attacked the older churches but did not substitute a permanent change of worship, leaving tho Maoris neither one thing nor the other. The Maori was greatly influenced by nature —in his language and in his art. This influence was found in his mythopoetic creations such as his personification of the Dawn Maiden and his idea of transforming her into a champion and protector of tho spiritual life of man. Mr Seamer contended that the Taranaki Maoris had not had full justice meted out to them in their land transactions. For that reason for many years they would not suffer tho activities of the mission among them. Perhaps the greatest evil among tho Maoris to-day was the liquor problem. Whilst it was agreed in the Treaty of Waitangi that the Maoris should have full citizenship) they were denied the right of expressing an opinion on the liquor traffic.

A most delightful programme of Maori songs and poi dances, ukelele and steel guitar solos was then rendered by members of the party.