THE MAORI BIBLE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 62, 12 April 1946, Page 5

THE MAORI BIBLE

A PERFECTED EDITION COMMITTEE’S IMMENSE TASK An immense task is at present being undertaken by a selected committee convened by the Rev. J. G. Laughton, and consisting of eleven other members, ten of whom are members of the Maori race. The task is that of completely revising the last (1924) edition of the Maori Bible, printed in London, and which was unfortunately marred by a number of typographical errors, particularly regrettable in a work in which a high standard of perfection is sought.

As stated, the last edition of the Maori Bible was printed in 1924, but because of the large number of errors, it has never been regarded in the light of a standard work. In spite of.this fact, however, the total number of volumes printed at that time has been sold, and the question of a republication has had to be considered. For this reason, a Revision Committee of twelve members has been appointed. The committee consists of ten members of the Maori Race, including the Right Rev. F. A. Benhett, Bishop of Aotearoa, and Sir Apirana Ngata, and two Europeans—Rev. J. G. Laughton (convenor), and Mr W. W. Bird, formerly Chief Inspector of Native Schools.

Maori Phraseology An even greater task than the eradication of typographical errors has been undertaken in clearing up the many obscure passages, and in seeking to give the characteristic Maori terminology and phrases to extracts which lacked something in the beauty and clarity of the native tongue. This is necessary in that the passages in question are at present merely translations, and do not always convey the exact and delicate shade of meaning which the Maori himself would express. The presence of eminent scholars of the Maori race on the Revision Committee makes possible this latter objective, which the committee itself has stated in the following terms:' “The production of the most perfect edition of the Maori Bible within the capacity of its members, by the removal of all typographical errors, by the clearing up of the obscure passages in the text, and by casting the same in characteristic Maori idiom where desirable, the English Authorised Version of the Bible and the Maori translation thereof, being the basis from which the committee works.’’

To Supervise Publication The Maori members of the Revision Committee recently addressed a petition to the Bible Society, and to the Governing authorities of the Presbyterian Church, that the Rev. Laughton might continue as convenor of the committee until its tremendous task was complete, not less than a year hence, and that he be given release from some of his orcb inary duties as Superintendent of the Presbyterian Maori Mission to carry this work to completion. In addition that when the new bible was ready for publication, he be totally released for a period of a year or more if necessary, to supervise the printing in London. The Bible Society endorsed these recommendations, and the Rev. David Calder, Secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society appeared before the Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church to present them. The request that the Rev. Laughton should continue as convenor of the Revision Committee, and that he should give to the work the full time required, was immediately acceded to, and the further request that he be released to supervise the printing in England will be received by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, which meets in Wanganui on October 29, of this year.

It is conjectured that the edition will be ready to go to print approximately this time next year.