THE MAORI HEALER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3487, 11 January 1921, Page 14

THE MAORI HEALER.

GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE. ORIGIN OF THE MISSION. A visit paid by Mr H. M. Stowell, of the Native Department, to Ratana, the Maori healer (says the Post) was personal, not official. At the same time Mr Stowell’* position being well known to Maoris, it was not easy for them in their minds to separate the man from his office. It was stated that Ratana felt aggrieved at the want of sympathy shown by the Government in the work he was doing in not permitting trains to stop at the camps wherS the sick and suffering are gathered. Maori fashion, these things come out in speeches deliveerd to an encircling assembly of attentive, critical hearers. The fact that there was an attendance at the camp of 3247 persons on Boxing Day induced Ratana to think that due consideration should have been paid by the Railway Department to the convenience of the travelling public, and especially so as many of those attending were invalids. Mr Stowell, in replying, was unable to express any views on ‘the Railway Department and Ratana’s experience therewith; but he did point out that in very few places in New Zealand were there three stations within five minutes of one another, Turakina being three miles from Ratana (where ths healer of that name lives) and Wangaehu only two miles. Then Ratana referred to the lack of interest shown in his work by members of Parliament. _ There was he, according to r 6 §j ra< i° sj v en to him, healing hundreds of suffering, faithful people daily; here were assemblages of over 3006 people, coming from all parts of New Zealand, and representative of practically every tribe of the Maori public. “But where,” he asked, “are tnfe members of Parliament?” Someone cried out: “They are at the races, where else should they be?” At this there was a loud guffaw Ratana answered that the work of healing the sick is more important than races To Mr Stowell he said: “Perhaps you nave the idea that this healing was mere Maori Tohungaism? If so, it would not be well to countenance it.” Mr Stowell replied that he was not under that impression. So far as Tohungaism was concerned, it was not so. Speaking personally, he believed the Government would not interfere with Ratana’s work unless trouble arose out of it. He was positive, however, that there would be no such reason for auy Government interference. As an instance, which the Maoris assembled would appreciate, he said there had recently been a tremendous diffei-ence in a Presbyterian church in Auckland. That was a quit© serious matter for the Presbyterian Church, but it was not of course, one that the Government could or would interfere with. As for the work being done at Ratana, Mr Stowell said he meant to see it for himself. He was much impressed with it* sober yet remarkable character. It was begun some two years ago. Now there were over 3000 signatures in the Book of Cures. Ratana was asked how he came to start the movement. He answered quite naturally and frankly, and with confidence: “I was reading in the New Testament. I came to the passage where the centurion appealed to Jesus to heal his servant, who was very ill and at the point of death. Jesus commended this man's great faith. Ho healed the sick servant even while he spoke; for when the messengers sent to Jesus by the centurion returned they found that the servant was healed even at tin moment Jesus spoke; so I said to myself. My word, yes. I believe that is quite feasible. So I started out on my work in that assurance. I have carried out the pattern to tho fullest extent of my ability. “A silk pakeha need not necessarily come to me. if he likes, describing his ailment and assuring me of his entire faith in the Holy Trinity. He can write to me, and I will reply: and cures could be effected in