WITH THE MAORIS IN BAY OF PLENTY.

White Ribbon, Volume 43, Issue 513, 18 July 1938, Page 3

WITH THE MAORIS IN BAY OF PLENTY.

It has been my privilege to return for a brief period this year on “Field Work” for the Union among the Maori people. The need is very great. Leaders of the Maoris are calling nut for protection of their young people against the awful ravages of the drinking habit and the enticement of the hotel bars The result of the 40-hour week and increased wage'* - leisure without knowledge and provision for it" rightful use —is disastrous to the Maori men. The liquor l ars .re reaping their increased wages, families are not benefitting as they should. The otilv agencies a! work for tin. real uplift and help ot these people are the ( hurch’s missionaries and the W.C.T.I . A terrific warfan- is being waged by the missionaries of tlu- Cross against tlu legalised liquor traffic for the soul of the Maori race. Twelve years ago 1 met a native Maori minister wearing the White RowAsked why he wore it, he replied, “This is my fight.’ Kvcr\ Maoi worker, Maori and Pakcha, can say tie same. The forces of liquordom are the greatest bar to the evangelisation of the native race. Many of the old native customs are passing, as the Maori assimilates I’akeha civilivition, but this dread vice of drunkenness bids fair to engulf and destroy a noble race. I hiring the past few decades the Maori lias gradually come into line with the Fakeha in dress, food, education, sport, organisation (c.g., W.CT.U., Women’s Institutes), professions, and soon -all to the good. The liquor habit is retarding their progress and it is here we must help them. What art we as a Union doing? Well, we are sounding the alarm Our educational work has gained a footing in many native schools. Children know the truth about alcohol and are warned. Young people in the Y’s are receiving sound training in total abstinence and good citizenship principles. Students in Maori Girls’ C<d-h-ges are enthusiastic total abstainers and A* members and these become temperance missionaries in their Pahs on leaving college. The White Ribbon is circulated in many homes and Palis Maori Unions are not so numerous as thev might be. but we have a few. I have just spent a week at the Maori Alission in Opotiki. Several temperance talks and travcllogues have been given in native schools, two Y meetings attended, Sunday School and other Mission meetings addressed. “Kia Toa” Y’s have lost many of the older members through marriage and departure to other parts nf the district. A new and younger generation is com ing in and these arc being trained.

Membership b being re-built slowly. Most of the older hovs work on farin', and other jobs several miles out of town The Mission ear brings some of them in for meetings while others depend on “lifts ” At “Muriwai" A meeting on 2drd June there was no light in the hall A lamp was tin re but no oil! None could be obtained, so the resourceful Superintendent, Rev. R. Morgan, ran his car into the ball doorway and wc held the meeting by “car-light.” It was a bitterly c *id. frosty night. We froze, over 20 ot u>, round the open door, and talked about the things of (rod and temperance. AVc sang bright hymns, answered questions and asked a few. A steaming cauldron of lovely odotirflll cocoa and buttered buns made* a welcome finish t<> a really good meeting 011 Saturday evening I was present at the Y footballers’ tea and social hour. There were nearly fifty lads and girls present Hungry Toys from tht football field enjoyed a W.C.T.I’. tea. played P> idmiiitou, ping-pong, draughts, etc. I told a temperance, illustrated, story. This is a definite counter-attraction to the hotel bar. There is nowhere else for these lads to go. Their homes are miles cmt After football, you know, a bath is urgent! A queue forms in the ball of the Mission House, a muddy queue, and too soon all the hot water is gone! The missionary smiles. “Ah, well, it !ia . Kept them from the hotil bar.” The renovated, fre-hlv 1 minted hop ! has just installed some new hot bathtor footballers. 'The Mission Committee got busy, and with the 00-oncrafion of the local W.C.T.I’. plans were quickly made to instal two sets of hot and cold showers behind the Mission Hall. 'These will b< a tremendous boon to the Y footballers and other players, and, we trust, will save many more preciou. lives from the hotel “trap.” On Sunday several personal opportunities for temperance talks were opened up and in the evening a lantern film of the “Life of Christ” was given in the hall. 111 the afternoon I had conducted a small Sunday School in an old shack in a paddock near one of the Pahs. 'The children were very bright, the singing was very hearty, and the response very good. Sister Morgan and her father arc doing a great work here for God and temperance. Cast-off clothes, and new ones, play a very great part in the work Great quantities can be disposed of. The Maoris buy them and the proceeds “oil the wheels” of the Mission work. Practically all the Union girls are in the Mission basketball teams “KiaToa.” and thev look so nice in their bright red and white sports dresses. Many of the girls are in situations in town, where they do well. Remember this work in vour pravers and in your Unions in practical wavs. C. M. McLAY.