MAORI PROBLEMS.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 26, Issue 11, 1 November 1936, Page 3

MAORI PROBLEMS.

It seems likely -that the present Synod of the Diocese of Waipu will go down m history for the way it is facing the problems of the Maori side of the Church. In the report of the committee on home-mission work considerable attention was paid to the Maori side, and a large number of motions were tabled with regard to other aspects of the work. It was felt that the

Church was at a critical stage. There was a desire on the part of some of the Maoris for a larger share m the control. The report already referred to urged better co-operation between Maori and pakeha clergy and congregations, and suggestions to this end were made. The report also suggested the need of a pakeha superintendent for all the Maori work m the diocese. There was need, it said, oif more definite training of Maoris for pastoral work and the training of women for work m the mission houses. It was also suggested that recommendations should be made to Ghurch Army headquarters that suitable Maoris should be trained to work among their people on the caravans travelling throughout New Zealand. • Another matter brought forward the state of the Maori vicarages and churches, which, it was felt, should be brought up to a standard worthy of the dignity of the Church. It was recognised that the standard m many matters which obtained, say, at the beginning of the century, was ho longer satisfactory. The Maori,: it was stated, was changing with the times. New methods of thought, of co-operation, and of.: social 'life' were demanded by the Maori as well as by the pakeha. Our English civilisation, dt was pointed out, was a complex of such things as science, education, art, re^ ligion, and social relations which were, or ought to be, the expression of one Holy Spirit. In this Dominion the Maori had his share m contributing to its civilisation, and'pakeha must learn from Maori. as well as Maori from pakelia. And the ultimate end to which most people looked was the blending of the two civilisations until they were one; In that work the Maori minister, would have an outstanding part. There were, speakers said, many sighs of changes" among the Maoris; there was a growing refinement, a feeling after the social amenities, a desire for better things. That might be seen m the number of Maori children now attending high schools and m the care many Maoris were how taking m the education of their children. This was reacting and was bound to react more upon the life of the

people, and it was bringing altered problems to the Maori minister. They were reading books and newspapers; they attended the pictures; and the work of the parish priest had added difficulties and reponsibilities because of these changes. He had to be chairman of every committee m his community; he had to have a .social standing to enable him to give this leadership, and he had to have organising ability. His ideals should be above the level of his people; he was set down among them to lift them to higher levels. Unfortunately the stipends upon which he had to live did not enable him to do what he ought to do m this way. His parish work was a drain upon his salary; he had to keep a car and to have a telephone. Sometimes, if not often, he got into debt, with the result that confidence and the power of initiative was sapped; he felt that he was slipping back. There was an absence of congenial society and encouragement. The wonder was that so many of them did as well as they did. It was felt that the pakeha side of the Church must recognise the altered conditions and help the Maori to help himself. The facts of the position must be known and faced by the whole Church. On the stipends paid at present he had no {means to buy modern books, the study of which would fit him to minister to his people under the altering conditions. That a higher standard must be reached was recognised by both Maori and pakehas. The clergyman must be given the means to fit him for his work. The work of the ladies m the mission houses, speakers said, called for the highest praise, and Synod passed a motion expressing its thanks to them for their fine work on behalf of the Maori people. It was decided that it was desirable that a priest should be appointed to assist the Bishop of Aotearoa. It was thought desirable that there should be a Maori church paper for circulation among the people informing them and securing unity of outlook. :' The co-operation of the Maori and pakeha members of Synod on the matters affecting the Maori part of the Church was very pleasing, and

appreciation of the goodwill shown by their pakeha brothers was expressed by the Maoris. They also showed their appreciation of the sympathy and tact shown towards them by Mr. R. E. H. Pilson, diocesan secretary. It is to be a recommendation from the Synod that the Waiapu representatives should be instructed to bring the question of the stipend of the Bishop of Aotearoa before General Synod with the object of having it established upon a more satisfactory basis compatible with the dignity of the office. It was also desired that General Synod should be asked to provide some simpler form of control of Maori work throughout the provinces than that suggested at the Aotearoa Church Board.