MAORI MISSIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 238, 5 September 1928, Page 11

MAORI MISSIONS

REV. A. J. SEAMER’S PARTY,

EVENING AT ST. PAUL’S. Last evening members of Sb. Paul’s Church were given another opportunity of hearing Rev. A. J. Seamer and the Maori Mission party. A programme of a unique type, embracing many phases of native life and thought; was presented to an audience appreciative of the chance afforded them of seeing a little of the peculiar characteristics of the Maori.

An enthusiastic welcome was accorded the visitors, Miss Poihi, who has been in Palmerston North several times before, assisting Mrs Pacey, Miss Cunningliame, llev. J. E. Parsons and Mr L. Laurenson. All Maori orations were concluded with a song, and in this the whole party combined, following w T ith a liaka. "After the singing of the Doxology, in which the whole assemblage joined, and prayer, the 85th Psalm was sung in Maori. Then the oldest Maori hymn, “Tama Ngahau Marie,” was rendered. A love dittv, “Pokarekone Ana,” was n contribution by Miss Poihi, while Miss Tautari sang “E Parire 11a.” This latter was a lament for those who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War and was, Mr Seamer explained, chosen because of its mournful nature, symbolical of the fact that the Taranaki Maoris were still conscious of the wrong done them many years ago by the administration. Mr Seamer stated that tlio poi dance had occupied a great part in the ritual of various cults and called upon the young ladies of the party to do a double poi. To Alioo Terangi then sang two verses of the Maori hymn, which had been the first item, to a very old tune, typical of ancient Maori chants. Next was a duet sung in English, “Homo, Little Maori Home, ’ by Wiparehama Te Ariki and Hinerangi Hikuroa. The long poi dance, which had its origin among the Arawa tribe of Rotorua, was a further contribution of the ladies, and then the whole party sang another hymn, “Ilolioro Mai.” Little Hinerangi Hikuroa sang the plaintive “Hine E Hino,” the. Maori slumber song, in contrast to which Mr W. Nelson, who is travelling with the party, sang in a melodious bass, “Pass It On.” After several Maori choruses had been sung, a typical Maori game was plaved by the younger members, a canoe poi concluding the programme. During the evening Mr Pihama elo-

quently addressed' the gathering m Maori, his remarks being translated by Mr Seamer. He regretted the trouble that had been caused by the injudicious administration of the early pakeha, but rejoiced at the many beautiful things that ’white men had brought with them. The greatest need of the native race urns development. He had been told of tlio sacrifices made by the early missionaries and their great accomplishments. Trouble between the whites and the Maoris had undermined their work, but the present generation was endeavouring to regain the lost ground. Those missionaries and workers were guided by the precept, “Faith, liopo and love, and the greatest of these is lovo.” The big grievance of the Maoris was that they were not allowed to vote on the liquor question, which seemed to them a direct infringement of the rights conferred in the Treaty of TVaitangi. Negroes, Chinese and other aliens could vote, but the IMaons could not ‘ However, even without them, he trusted that the curse of strong drink would be abolished. At the conclusion of his address he rendered a waiata. Mr Seamer also spoke briefly, appealing to the gathering to support the work of the mission. The Government spent £BO,OOO annually on native education, but this would ho wasted if not followed up by work similar to that of the mission.