CHURCH CRITICISED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26773, 17 May 1948, Page 4

CHURCH CRITICISED

LACK OF SYMPATHY FOR MAORI RACE , Daily Times Special Service AUCKLAND, May 16. “ This has proved that the Rev. Kena was right,” said a prominent Maori leader last night, commenting on the remarks by the Rev. Mr Moore. The spokesman was referring to the complaint made by the Rev. A. B. Kena, of Auckland, at a recent tribal meeting in Gisborne, that the Maori, people, apart from their clerical representation had no voice in the Auckland Diocesan Synod. “ Now you have an answer to the question why the Maoris are not happy about church affairs here,” the Maori leader went on. “ The Church of England is not sympathetic towards its Maori parishioners. If it cared for them, the clergy would not preach what we have heard from St. Matthews. But the church does not serve them.” He went on to say that it was a pity that the church did not help the northern Maoris, instead of talking about the effects of social security and trying to damn the race. He suggested that Mr Moore should prove the truth about what he said of inbreeding among the northern people. There was no doubt that Mr Moore was wrong. The spokesman challenged Mr Moore to prove that 80 per cent, of the inmates of Mount Eden prison were Maoris. He did know where Mr Moore had obtained the figures, but if they were genuine, he wondered that the department had not made this public.

from the road by scattered bushes. There was a big patch of blood on the ground. After an exhaustive examination of the body and the appearance of bloodstains. which were still red, the police and the pathologists are stated to be of the opinion that the woman died some time on Friday, possibly on Friday night. Sand was found covering some red patches on the ground. The police experienced some difficulty in having the body identified, but at an inquest opened this morning before Mr Lawry, evidence of identification was given by a sister of the dead woman, Jean Beatrice Maud •Smith.