BISHOP PERTURBED BY CRIME AMONG MAORIS

Chronicle (Levin), 9 December 1947, Page 6

BISHOP PERTURBED BY CRIME AMONG MAORIS

Pressi Association )

(Per

WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. The unliappy position of the Maori people, which was supplying . 26 per eent. of the inmates of New Zealanu gaols though eonstituting only 6 per cent. of the general population, was commented upon yesterday by the Bishop of Aotearoa (the Bt. Bev. F. A. Bennett) at a Maori service in NgatiPoneke Hall in Wellington. The Bishop, who Was assisted by Canon W. G. Williams and the Bev. Hohepa Taeapa, said the only way in which the present drift could be arrested, and new spiritual life infused into this people, was through the Christian churches. ■ Many young Maori men, like their pakeha brothers, had returned to Kew Zealand in a most unsettled frame of mind. The majority of tliem were at present beyond the orbit of spiritual influences. "It is vour job and mine to go after them, to lielp them, and bring them back, for the Maori is essentially spiritual at heart," he declared. ' ' That responsibility is not for oue ehurch alone, but for all the • churches who are working among the Maori people." The Maori leaders throughout the country were concerned about the present situation, he proceeded, was obvious. The Bishop referred, in particular, to a move by laymen on the East Coast, headed by Sir Apirana Ngata, as one of the most important of recent years. - The intention was to call a conference early in the New Year with the ohject of infusing fresh spiritual lile into the people and discussing current social problems. The idea had aiso been taken up with enthusiasm in the Eotorua district. Bishop J5ennett commented upon the inqiortance of Maori Mission Sunday, and the fact that paltehas in the Wellington diocese raised £800 that dav tor Alaori work. Such a dav had alwavs been held saered by the old people, ne said, and it was a matter of deep regret to liim that the Maori connnunity in Wellington had ofganised a monstei picnic on that dav. Wliile he was aware it had been organised l>efore it was known that he would speak in Wellington, he thought it was a cause tor grief. However, he was heartened and encouraged I33- such a large attendancc at the service. It indicated that the older people appreciated the signilicance of the dav and realised the neeessity for adhering to Christian principles. "Your ancestors," he said, "woulu never have goue to a picnic on such a day. "Such a eougregation as rhis has liealed the wound in mv own heart," Bishop Bennett continued, "and I trust that good will come out of what I consider to have been an evil. You have set an exaiuxile to the younger people, which I hope they will observe. " When he was welcomed later by the community, the Bishop said that pro gress could only be made by the Maori. people if they walked hand in hanu along the same path as the pakehas. There was 110 position in New Zeaianci to whichsia Alaoriy-pr-avided he had tlie. qualifications and character, could not aspire. "There is mucli in life in tlns country for which we as a people must be thankful," he said. "Today there are greater opportunities for education than ever before. We do not want to compete with the pareha. but rather to go forward with liim hand in liand."