Pakeha Help Wanted For Maori Church

Northern Advocate, 21 October 1938, Page 7

Pakeha Help Wanted For Maori Church

[Special to “Northern Advocate ” 3 i ' AUCKLAND, This Day. A strong appeal for the reappointment of a Pakeha superintendent to supervise the ■'Maori work of the church was made at the Anglican Synod yesterday afternoon by the Rev. W. N. Panapa, who stated that in his opinion such a move would assist the Maoris, whose need at present ' was great. He paid a high tribute to the work of Archdeacon H. A. Hawkins, who formerly held the position, and asked that he should be reappointed. Mr Panapa’s motion that the Synod should request the standing committee to consider the reappointment of a Pakeha superintendent, seconded by the Rev. E. Blackwood Moore, formerly of Kaitaia, was passed, and later, following some discussion, Archdeacon Hawkin said that if he could be of any assistance, he would leave himself in the hands of the Archbishop.

Maoris Want Opportunity. Speaking on the number of landless Maoris in the diocese, the greater number of whom were in the North, Mr Panapa said that while there were thousands of unoccupied acres, people thought of them as only for immigrants. To-day was one of transition for the Maori, with difficulties of leadership. Much had been made of equality for the Maori, but what he wanted was opportunity. Maori youth was being educated and was clamouring for opportunity. Mr Panapa hoped that the centenary would be a time when a better understanding between the two races might be celebrated. The Maoris felt that there was need for the appointment of the officer he had suggested. Races Drift Apart. His people felt that in the past 10 years they had been drifting from the pakeha. By instinct, the Maoris sensed that the pakeha had lost interest in them. The Maoris, therefore,' asked for the reappointment of one who was widely respected: Archdeacon Hawkins. Following several speakers, who spoke in support, the Primate, Archbishop Averill, who presided, said they, did not want to do anything that, would be a flash in the pan. Best Interests Considered. Tracing events leading to the appointment of a Maori Bishop, His Grace added that, without saying anything against the work of the present Bishop, who was a personal friend, he felt it would have been in the interests of the natives to have had a pakeha bishop. The Maoris now, he thought, believed that they wex’e not quite ready for a Maori bishop. Would it, he asked, be in the best interests of the Maoris to go back to something they had had before? After the matter had been most carefully considered by the standing committee, an arrangement might be made, and it might be possible for Archdeacon Hawkins to take the position.