MAORE MISSIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 9

MAORE MISSIONS.

Mrs G. B. Inglis delivered an address on "The Necessity of Maori Missions" in thil Y.W.C.A. Rooms oa the 21st before a fairly numerous audience, the Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland occupying the chair. »

After referring to the character of the Maoris and their capabilities as regards the highest Christian civilisation, Mrs Inglis said she did not think there "would be any difficulty in sending out a teacher as far as money was concerned. She had tried to show them what the Maori might be with a little loving kindness, and urged the claims tbe ISative race had upon Christians. They were our neighbours, and because they were few in number was no excuse for not taking care of them. Another thing was that the vices that were destroying them had been taught by nominal Christians, and it now behoved them to teach them virtue. They had been dispossessed, and should now have reparation "made. She urged that some young man or woman should lie found to lift them upward, and mentioned that some of the Maovi3 in the North and evon the South Island were totally without knowledge of the Bible. There were Mrs Inglis said, about 30C0 Maoris in the South Island who required teaching, and these would nobly repay auy cost that was bestowed upon them. She concluded with an urgent appeal to people to give themselves to the work and show some care for a race that had been so far neglected and forgotten. The Chairman pointed out that what was wanted was exact information concerning the requirements. He thought it would be a, good thing if they had a similar provision for teaching the Maoris as they had for the Chinese, and drew attention to the fact that it would be an easier matter to carry the Goepel to the Maoris, on account of them not being so scattered as the Chinese. Mr W. Brows concurred with this view ; and after some further discussion it was agreed to form a committtee, consisting of the Rev. Mr Sutherland, Messrs Hercus, X-arr, and Brown to gain information on the subject, with the helu of etheri to be added to tbe commute*