MAORI FACTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18676, 4 October 1922, Page 7

MAORI FACTIONS

RATANA QUARRELS WITH 'V WAIKATOS. (Fr.Oii Otm Own Coep.espondent.) AUCKLAND. October 3. A visit which was paid last week by Ratana, the faith healer, to the Maori “King” Rata Tawhnio, at Ngaruawahia, was marked by unlooked-for developments. The object of Ratana’s trip, it is said,. Was to “make friends” with the “‘King,” blit a very different result was achieved. . _ Seme time ago Ratana asked Rata to join his religious fold, with the rest of his people, and sign the covenant which was being circulated and signed by the Maoris generally. This the “King” politely declined tij do, and a statement to the effect that He would be ostracised from society is supposed to have been made by Ratana or his followers. Since then Ratana’s son has been put forward as a candidate for the Western Maori seat, which includes Waikato, against Sir Maui Pomare. Desiring to make amends for all that had been said, Ratana informed Rata that he would visit him at his home on a certain date. The “King” replied that he would meet him, but it would have-to be on the sacred ground of his ancestors at Ngaruawahia. Accordingly Ratana and about SCO of his adherents arrived last Wednesday, and were settlement. In keeping with Maori custom, the “King” took up his place at the head of his people. There were the usual Maori welcomes and customary words of adulation of the “King,” the speakers addressing the flags that were flying on tho flagpole. While Rata came in full view of the visitors, Ratana remained hidden among his fbllowers, which was considered to be an affront to the “King” and his “mana,” and this was accentuated when the speakers, in reply, failed to address tho flags or to refer to “King” Rata in adoring terms. Whan the Waikato people saw that Ratana waa not taking his proper part in the cere-, monial by coming out and showing himself, they decided to cut out some of the speeches. The shaking of hands and rubbing of noses were also dispensed with. This was done at the suggestion of Rawhiti, one of the “King’s” secretaries, who gave ag his reason that rain was falling, but added with some significance: “My nose might be hurt.” He invited Ratana and his people to enter the house that was pared for them in comfort, and to accept" the hospitality of the Waikato Maoris, xn the meantime, “King” Rata, who was -deeply offended because Ratana kept himself concealed, quietly went away in his , motor car to his home at Waahai, near Huntly. _ . , . Ratana and his people spent the mgnt at Ngaruawahia. A report- was circulated that Rata would appear in the courtyard between 10 and 11 o’clock the next morning. The Maoris were all assembled, but no “Kina” appeared. , It was proposed by the Waikatos that the ceremonies of the previous day should be resumed. Although they probably knew that there was no prosnect of “King” Rata attending, they felt i certain duty as generous hosts. Jlowever only two or three speeches had been made, when one of Ratana’s followers spoke up and said they had come there, not to hear ! greetings of love and to waste tune, but to see “Ta Maiti” (the chnd), meaning the “King.” They were people who were travelling and had no time to waste, and they wanted to get on with the business. These remarks greatly nettled the Waikato chiefs, and one of them, Hone Omipi (John Ormsby), delivered a speech in which lie, warmly rebuked Ratana’s followers. ‘T am astonished,” he said, “that you people should think of the ’King’ being so unimportant as not to address him as such. Hia body is sacred, his mana is sacred, and he is tapu. Do you not know that -before approaching a man of such mana you have to surmount one, two, three, four, five, "sis barricades; indeed, innumerable barricade,s? You have not even surmounted the.fifst ore Whv are we so honoured with tpia visit of yours? Please explain the reason The speech was cutting and to the point, and another chief followed in similar strait,. Katana’s people appeared to he nonplussed, and they broke up into little groups to discuss the position. They left Ngaruawahia on Friday. . ~ , ~ , . It is stated that the incidents that oo curred have cemented the Waikato Maoris, who recognise that their “mana is at stake. There is now a deep line of dcmarcation between them and Ratana 8; adherents. ' *