RATANA ON TOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, Issue 17693, 6 July 1927, Page 12

RATANA ON TOUR.

IN QUEST OF “BACK-SLIDERS.”

REPLENISHING HIS BANK. W. T. Ratana, Maori prophet and faith healer, says a message lroin Kuitaia, spent tlie week piougmng tnrougn niuady roads on a. motor lorry, visiting the adhorants who have remained loyal to linn notwithstanding the adversities ■which havo happened along, largely us the result ol' tile economic (repression. Eor some time prior to tne visit ol the faith-healer there had been a considerable drift among the native population from the sway of Katana and iiis henchman Peter Moko, and it is stated that one of the main objects of bis visit to the far North was to snatch from tne burning some back-sliders. There was, of course, another reason, and mat was the necessity lor replenishing the depleted treasury of the Bank of Katana. This latter predicament would account for the prophet’s journey at the most unseasonable time of the year. In addition to Peter Moko, Ratana brought with him a posse of giants, who served as his bodyguard, and also as a squad of fiery-tongued orators to assist him ill impressing upon natives their duty. The prophet and liis giants held meetings at Kaikohe, Te Kao and Pukepoto; and at each the cry was raised: “Don’t let we Maoris fight among ourselves. Organise, and we will compel the Pakeha to give us what we want.” The Pukepoto meeting was attended by indigent natives for whom relief works have been provided and also by a great many oid-age pensioners. It should be remembered that the Pakeha foots tlie bill for tins expenditure. It is believed that a fairly considerable sum of money was collected by Ratana during liis trip, and this should tide him and his over tlie winter. Ho is being given tlie credit for the exemption recently given Maori lads from attending military parades, and ho handed young natives of military age a red ticket, purporting to give them exemption, and saying: “I have secured this for you from the Government.”- . When Ratana last visited the North there was much talk among the natives of a flag given him by the Mikado of Japan after the “entente cordiale” had been established between these alleged brothers in blood, but it does rot appear to have been mentioned this time. With a view to showing his authority before the meeting at Pukepoto, Ratana excommunicated one of the local councillors whom lie said had no soul. Such a decree has intimidated many other natives. At the feast .subsequently Ratana ordered sundry animals to be slaughtered and cooked, but .when, that had been done and they 1 had been devoured by the multitude, it was found that they wanted more. There was no more stock to kill, so a motor lorry was despatched to the Ninety Mile Beach for a ton or two of tolieroas. Having taken liis toll of these, Ratana was able to resume his return journey to the south, liis final | act. beinri to weifxh himself at J nennvI in-tlm-slot machine outside Kuitaia!■’ost Office.