DETAILS REQUESTED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26776, 20 May 1948, Page 6

DETAILS REQUESTED

SUPPORT OF CLERGYMAN’S , ALLEGATIONS

IN-BREEDING BY MAORIS

P.A. WELLINGTON, May 19. A public statement alleging traffic in souls and prostitution of a noble race for political ends must be investigated and proven, as also must the charge that the present Government was sponsoring such happenings. This comment was made by the member of the Executive Council representing the Maori race, Mr E. T. Tirikatene, in reference to the reported sermon by the Rev. E. Blackwood Moore at St. Matthew’s Church, Auckland. Mr Tirikatene invited Mr Moore to supply him with details showing where tne alleged Maori in-breeding was taking place and where also there was prostitution of the race. That information, he said, .was necessary in order that a proper investigation might be instituted immediately. He added that arrangements could be made for a full Maori congregation to be assembled in the north to hear the same sermon front Mr Moore. “I invite Mr Moore to the Maori congregation not with any sense of malice But in accordance with Jesus Christ's command to His 12 disciples to go into the way of the Gentiles and not into any city of Samaritans, but rather to the lost sheep of Israel and there preach,” he added. With regard to Mr Moore’s reference to Mount Eden, Mr Tirikatene said that the percentage of Maoris claimed by Mr Moore to be in the Auckland prison was approximately three times higher than was actually the case. Instead of 80 per cent., the figure was 30 per cent