New Zealand for the Mormons.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1856, 12 July 1886, Page 3

New Zealand for the Mormons.

ELDEB SORENSEN’S REPORT TO THE MORMON ASSEMBLY. SUGGESTED PURCHASE OP THE KING COUNTRY. KING TAWHIAO SAID TO BE FAVORABLE TO THE SCHEME. It will be remembered that last year Elder Sorensen, who came to New Zealand to labor on behalf of the Latter Day Saints, spent some time at Papawai, near Greytown, diligently teaching the doctrines of his church. He made several converts there, and also at Te Ore Ore. He then went to Hawke’s Bay and on to Auckland, and finally left for Utah. It will be noticed in the following extract that he considers that "Auckland especially is imbued with polygamist doctrines.” He recommends the saints to consider the advisability of making a shift to Neff Zealand, purchasing the King country to settle in, which he believes can be had for half {a million sterling, if the land sharks are not before them. He thinks “ half of the sum could be paid to the King, and the remainder could be distributed, together with clothes and tracts among the people.” The following is Elder Sorensen's report to the Utah Assembly, as reported in the Utah Evening -Tribunal

“ At the request of the Assembly, accompanied by Elder Doolan, he had visited New Zealand. Re had found the people of that young colony, particularly the working classes, favourably disposed towards the doctrines of the one true ahd holy church. Whenever the tenets of Mormonism had been revealed, the people willingly lent their ears, and in many places they had made more converts than they could well provide for. Auckland, he had found, was especially imbued with polygamist doctrines, and in their proposed emigration they could rely upon the assistance and sympathy of the people there. They had recognised in the teaching of their good prophet, the true salvation ; and as a proof of their conversion, some of these people were now enjoying the fruits of the new life in their midst. In submitting his report on the purchase of what was kuown as the King Country in New Zealand, be could tell them that the scheme seemed to him most feasible and favourable. When in the Colony they -had made every enquiry, and there was nothing to prevent them making an immediate purchase, and commencing operations in their new home at once. Indeed, the sooner the better; far if the project were delayed it was possible that some of the noted land sharks with which New Zealand was infested might in the meantime get hold of the territory. His colleague and himself bad waited upon Tawhiao, the King of New Zealand, or that portion of it which had not been stolen from them by a " Christian Government ” and he bad been pleasrd to grant them an audience. The name of the place was quite familiar to him ; it was a long word, but had slipped his memory. Bis Majesty, who was a venerable and intelligent gentleman, wfth an imposing countenance and dignified manner, received them kindly. He seemed highly impressed and greatly moved when the truths as revealed to Joseph Smith were revealed to him, and his soul was at once fired with ardour for the cause. He claimed affinity with the Mormons, as truths of a similar nature had been revealed to hie ancestors shortly alter their arrival at Kapiti Polygamy was observed among Maoris, and His Majesty he was pleased to notice, was a striking example of that sacred law. His domestic surronndings'were of the happiest possible character, and the appointments of the royal household, though very simple, indicated a noble and unpretentious mind. His Majesty favoured the Mormon scheme of purchase, and expressed bis willingness to assist them in every possible way. He would, moreover, cast in his lot with them, and enlist his people in the cause of truth. The whole territory, he believed, could ba bought for about £500,000. About half of the enm could be paid to the King, and the remainder could be distributed, together with clothes and tracts, among the people. The European Government of New Zealand had no jurisdiction in the King Country. The scheme, to his mind, afforded great promise, and he recommended that the Assembly should give it their immediate and earnest consideration. The report which he bad laid before the House would afford them the fullest informstien on the subject. Elder Doolan having made a few remarks, the farther consideration of the matter was postponed until after the holiday races.