The White Ribbon. "For God, and Home, and Humanity" WELLINGTON, SEPTEMBER 1, 1947. WE COME TO UNITE Pathways to International Peace PRAISE CHANGES THINGS

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 8, 1 September 1947, Page 4

The White Ribbon. "For God, and Home, and Humanity" WELLINGTON, SEPTEMBER 1, 1947. WE COME TO UNITE Pathways to International Peace PRAISE CHANGES THINGS

In the early day; a missionary came to the Far North cf New Zealand. Recognising the heai tiful quality of the Maori voices, he tiught the people to sing great hymns One day, word came that an enemy tribe was advancing. Preparations for war were made, and the mission* ry intensified the singing of greai 1 ymns. A river separated the pa from the advancing host. The day of battle opened. The missionary marshalled the people along th* banks of the river on the pa side. The enemy danced the fierce iiaka and waited. At a sign from the missionary, the trained choir broke forth into song. The beautiful wor< s of the gospel of peace and love reached the ears and the hearts of cl e astonished foe. Hymn after hymn pealed forth, till at last the implements of war were thrown down, the river was crossed, and empty hands were held out in friendship. “Your ;ongs have reached our hearts and ha/e brought peace.” How easily might quarrels he averted, foes turned into friends, war for ever ended, if only people would learn to sing.

We are told that the Maori is the finest native race in the world. Much has been said and written about the gentle, kindly, responsive nature of the people. Those who work with them know this to be true.

How many people pause to think of the tremendous ordeal into which the Maori race was thrust just one hundred years ago ? A great colonising nation, with an old civilisation \astl> different from their own, with habits and customs and ways of living which they could not understand, swept into their primitive life, and changed the very face of their world. The shock must have been tremendous, and the marvel is, that utterly unprepared as they were, they have so quickly assimilated and adapted themselves to the life of the Pakeha colonist.

One dares t to pause a train and to think how wonderful it would have been for the Maori people had the colonists brought only that which was good and constructive, and worthy of emulation in iiis own civilisation.

The Best and the Worst Hut facts must he faced. While the Pakeha brought that which is best, the foundation of his civilisation, the Word of God, he also brought the curse of his nation, alcohol, and the beverage alcohol habit. To an aboriginal race, alcohol spells destruction. How quickly the alcohol habit spread among the Maori people! Ignorant of its destructive nature, and guilelessly following the example of the Pakeha, the Maori easily became the victim of this deadly, poisonous drug. Alcohol, being a racial poison, causes degeneracy, and degenerrtvy is a great source of crime. In his hook. “Alcohol and the Human Race." A. P. Hobson says: “The "necessary basis for war is found in degeneracy. Remove degeneracy and there will he no more necessity for wars within the human species than within »any other species in nature. Put an end to degeneracy, which it only another way of taying, ‘Put an end to drink.’ and war* will cease from the earth.” If that he true, what a marvellous crusade the W.C.T.U. has engaged in! Our organisation was founded over 70 years ago primarily to outlaw beverage alcohol from the nations of the world, because a few thinking women had learnt the great facts about alcohol.

Macpi Organiser Shortly after the Union was organised in New Zealand, a department of

work among the Maoris was started. A young Maori woman, Miss Hera Stirling, was appointed Maori Organiser. and did a remarkably fine piece of work for the Union among her people. Trained as a Salvation Army officer, Miss Stirling travelled throughout the East Coast of the North Island, Rotorua district, the King Country, and in far-away parts inaccessible to the Pakeha. Gifted with a magnificent singing vc’ce, Miss Stirling sang her way into the hearts of the people, preached the gospel of redeeming love, and “organised for do ing good the people of her own race. Her only means of transport was a horse, and the familiar figure of the rider on the steed brought the light and warmth of friendship into many a heart and home. Many Maori l nions were formed. Temperance teaching given in schools and colleges to Maori Youth, and always the great foundation principles of Christian Faith and living were the keynotes of her work. Men in leading positions among the Maoris today testify to her influence upon their young lives, and thank God for her coming. After many years of faithful service and varied experiences. Miss Stirling became the wife of a clergyman of the Church of England, and continued her work in a new capacity. Mrs. Hera Munro is still carrying on her temperance work among young people in Rotorua.

Moral Landslide The unsettled state of societ}, worldwide, consequent upon world wars, an;' its attendant serious moral landslide, has greatly increased the alcohol habit among the people of all nations. Men and women drink to get away from the realities and problems of life. The Maori has not escaped this reaction. The need for the friendship and the educational work of the W.C.T.U. among them is more clamant than ever, and the women are especially eager to co-operate with us in our efforts to arrest the moral landslide which threatens the well-being of both races. As Maori Organiser, I have had the privilege of visiting and working among the Maoris for some years, and have learned to love and appreciate them. I w'ould pass on for your consideration some impressions gained and glimpses of work accomplished or begun.

1 am convinced that we, as Christian women, have a remarkable opportunity for building for World Peace through International Friendship by beginning with our own Native Race, and working at our job. Maori Hostel Movement This is proving a great success, and the venture of Faith which the Auck- ’ land District Executive made in 1943, in opening the first Maori Hostel for Girls in Auckland has been amply justified. A Christian home, friendship and loving care have been extended to hundreds of Maori girls—the future citizens and mothers of our Native Race. Many girls, now' married, and building Christian homes of their own, others teaching in Native schools, or filling positions elsewhere, write affectionately to “My Auckland Mother," or return “Home” at intervals for a happy holiday. The other five hostels in Auckland—three of which are rifn by the United Maori Mission, one each by Methodist and Presbyterian Churches—are also doing a splendid work for God and Maori Youth. "Y" Work The largest “Y” Branch in New Zealand is the “Rangimarie” one (which means “Peace”), and is carried on among the Hostel \oung people and their friends. The membership is over 70, the average attendance 50. (On special occasions, over 100 will attend.) The teaching given is evangelistic, scientific, and intensely practical. Young people are trained in leadership. Singing is a feature of all meetings. Work Among Women The organisation of Maori Unions has begun. The first one was started in Te Kuiti, in June. The prayer work of our Union and its crusade for total abstinence and the outlawing of the aicohol traffic made a great appeal to our Maori sisters. Twenty-one signed the Pledge at the inaugural meeting, and at the first Union meeting, two days later, eight more signed. Within a fortnight there were about 37 members. Their willingness to accept office was a real thrill to the heart of the organiser, and there are many fine workers in the Union. A Cradle Roll was started, two bright young mothers assuming responsibility for this splendid w’ork. Other departments of work were initiated, officers were instructed, and we look forward to welcoming representatives to our next Dominion Convention. A few' days later at Otorohanga, a joint Union of Pakeha and Maori was organised. Several Maori women signed the Pledge. A Maori Cradle Roll was started, and oversight of the Maori work in the district was kindly undertaken by Sister Nicholls. We commend to your prayers out Maori sisters as we remember that they, with us, are--“Joined in God’s cause, heart to heart, hand to hand, We all belong, we all belong.” A number of visits were paid to far-

out setlements, and good meetings of women addressed. Several pledges were signed. In some places, men attended too; and much interest was shown in the scientific talks on the Effect of Alcohol on the Brain. One man said; “That’s one on me. I thought beer w’ent to a man’s legs and made him wobble. I didn't know it affected his brain!” Another man asked to sign the Pledge, and said: “I wish you bad come here 30 years ago.” I had the pleasure of addressing a Tribal Committee, recently formed under the mve Maori Act for the advancement of the Maori Race, in one centre. One of the leaders told the audience that he had signed the Pledge 40 years ago when Miss Hera Stirling addressed the boys at his college. He had never broken that Pledge, and now’ desired his wife and daughter to join the W.C.T.U. In several other places, officials of Tribal Committees w r ere contacted, and every one told me he w’as determined to keep beer out of his pa. A Boys’ Club, of about 70 Maori and Pakeha members, was addressed, and 15 signed the Pledge. Several had already signed. Cottage meetings were held with small groups of neighbours, Devotional and Temperance talks given, Pledges signed, and members added to Te Kuiti Union.

A very interesting day was spent at Mokau, 50 miles distant, on the Tasman Sea coast. There was a very interested group; two women signed the Pledge and were linked to New’ Plymouth as associate members. Ont fine young man of 19 also signed. School children w’crc addressed. Clothes Sales T attended quite a few of these, assisting as saleswoman or cashier. It was most interesting. The clothing is a real benefit to many mothers, and others as well. Children’s clothes are in great demand, also men’s for work. If any of you are pressed for room and desire to quit old clothes, household furnishings that are usable, etc., just parcel them up and address to Sister Nicholls, Matai Street, Te Kuiti. Support the Maori missionary of your own Church by all means, if you have any; but, if not, here is an open door. The proceeds help the funds of the mission. What Union Members Could Do Prav for the Maori people; for vour Maori sisters in the Union; for the missionary and temperance work being done among them. Prayer will lead to understanding and friendship. Friendahip w’ill open up avenues ot service. Service will draw two great races together and uni»c Pakeha and Maori in a strong Christian citizenship, which is the sure foundation of national and international peace. CATHERINE McLAY