INCREASED CRIME AMONG MAORIS CONCERNS CHURCH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 9, 8 July 1949, Page 5

INCREASED CRIME AMONG MAORIS CONCERNS CHURCH

Concern at the seriousness of the increase of crime among Maoris was fully discussed by the half yearly conference of

the Church of Te Kooti Riki-

rangi at Poroporo last week, presided over by the Rev Rangituhia Kerei, Wanganui, supreme

head of the Church.

Leaders of the Maori people from Wairarapa, Wanganui, Taranaki and the King Country who were present, took active! part in the discussions.

The secretary to the conference, Mr T. Tawera, placed before it views expressed by Bishop Bennett on this question at a recent meeting with the Prime Minister at Wellington. Difficult Problems

In view of the seriousness of the situation, Mr Tawera continued, the Maori world at the present time was confronted with problems quite difficult to understand and only with careful handling of the situation, not only by Tribal Committees but by elders of the Churches and leaders of the Maori people, could satisfactory results be obtained. After-effects of the world wars and the trend of the times . were the major points raised by the conference as the cause of the drift to crime.

Mr Tanginoa Tapa, chief of the Wainui-a-rua people, Wanganui, commenting on Bishop Bennett’s sub missions to the Prime Minister, said that the Maori people were facing up to the European civilisation with all its good and bad with a degree of credit. He added that hardly a century ago when civilisation was first introduced to the Maoris the fact that they had been able to face the world equally with the Pakeha people, had been an outstanding accomplishment.

Utmost Concern ! After further discussions on the question Mr Hori Paamu, a member of the Roman Catholic Church, Ranana, moved the following resolution: “That this meeting of members of the Church of Te Kooti Rikirangi, Roman Catholic, Latter Day Saints and the Ringatu Sect view with the utmost concern the regrettable increase in crime among the Maori people, and appeal to all elders of Churches, leaders of the people and members of Tribal Committees to co-operate and use every effort in keeping this serious situation under control.”

This was carried unanimously by the meeting.