Dominion President Visits Maori Activities

White Ribbon, Volume 26, Issue 6, 1 October 1954, Page 5

Dominion President Visits Maori Activities

“Maori Day” is here again, and this month, in our Unions, let us try to do something practical for our Maori Departmental work. While travelling north I had the privilege of being guest speaker at quite a number of Maori Hostels and Youth Centres, and also had the joy of joining in the second Birthday Party celebrations of our Maori Union in Te Kuiti. The Union has many problems hut judging hy the enthusiasm of its members one had the feeling that any such would be tackled with great courage. As T listened to Mrs. Paki’s devotional message and also to the special part-time singing given in the Maori language, 1 felt welling up within me a deep sense of gratitude to God, knowing that His love over shadows us all. Race, colour? It matters not to Him, who made all men of oiy flesh. Mrs. Joseph, so well known to White Ribbon sisters, is a tower of strength to Mrs. Baker, the President, and made the Birthday Cake. How can one describe the festive hoard laden with pood things, or those who were seated and those VV)lO served, one happy family of Pakeha and Maori. The feast was typical of the love in the hearts of our friends and comrades, and we wished for them “A very Happy Birthday ” May we pray God to bless our Maori Union and to use it mightily!

Maori Girls’ Hostel. What a fine enterprise this is on the part of the Auckland District! A home away from home for so many Maori maidens. That fact in itself gives cause for rejoicing. Cities can be dangerous for the young and unwary and also unbelievablv lonely, hut here in our Hostel is a warmth of friendliness and cheer. The Matron. Mrs. Kennedy, endeavours to instil a sense of “housecraft” and how pleasinp to learn that the girls take a great interest in their “glvry-boxes,” thus showing a sense of thrift and responsibility. Too, it was good to know that many of these young women have shown great aptitude for Red Cross work and have passed examinations with high honours. We need not fear for youth when they have a sense of life’s obligations, he- they Maori or Pakeha. Here in our hostel we can feel a sense of achievement and let us pray that God will continue to guide and control the young lives that find lodging beneath ‘ts roof.

Space will not allow for hut a brief glimpse of all the places visited, and they were many; our own L.T.L. Branch at the Methodist Kurahuna Maori Home was a delight, the young people chainin' the meeting from beginning to end. One visioned them as splendid Officers in the future. Mrs. Moore, Superintendent, is to he congratulated on her fine hand of young folk.

1 had the honour of being guest speaker at the United Maori Mission Hostel at Herne Bay. How can I give in a few graphic sentences a scene that will live in my memory? The diningroom, with tables pushed against the walls to make more room for forms, chairs and stools, as well as cushions purloined from the Lounge and the Matron’s room, on which the more agile of the congregation sat. The Matron, a fine young pakeha woman with the love and grace of Christ shining from her eyes laughingly apologised for the meanness of the piano, and how I longed to play fairy god-mother and waft them something more worthy! The song-leader was a young woman who, with poise and ability, not only led the singing of hymns and choruses, hut also, hy means of blackboard, taught her hearers a new one. How they sang! Faces and eyes expressing the joy they felt, and how they harmonised, as only good singers, can. putting into the words such infinite wealth of feeling. As 1 sat and watched and listened, no wonder my eyes were dim and there was a lump in my throat. Lovely young Maori people for whom Christ died! With rippling notes and in sweet cadence, they sang “Jesus is the dearest friend I know”—what a wonderful truth, for yea, verily, Jesus IS the dearest Friend any youth or maiden could desire. Oh, do let us * carry this message more gladly, more earnestly

recogmsing the deep sense of need among our people today of both races. The Liquor Trade has played havoc in all our homes and especially has it set out to destroy youth. Maori Day? Yes, make it a red-letter day of prayer, asking

God to strengthen all Maori work which is being undertaken and to use the young Maoris themselves to stem the tide of evil that will wreck their race. —C. Toomer.