THE MAORI RACE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 84, 3 January 1935, Page 8

THE MAORI RACE

Christianity Gaining

Ground

PAKEHA HELP REQUIRED

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Hastings, January 2.

A moving plea for sympathy and help for the Maori race in its present-day difficulties, and for patience in awaiting the rebuilding of the Maori code of Ethics according to the principles Christianity, was made this evening by Mr. Hemi Nikora, Maori missioner, at rhe gathering of the Dominion conference of the Presbyterian Bible class movement. Mr. Nikora’s address was perhaps an emotional climax of a week’s meetings, and deeply stirred the audience of over 700 people. Some of the cults that had sprung up, misguided as they had been, were nevertheless an expression of the Maoris’ desire to seek some revelation of Christ, said Mr. Nikora. It was not long since Maori life had .been hedged about with superstition on every side*, even in the most common things of life. Tlkday, however, superstition was almost completely a spent force among the Maori race, and Chrstianity was gaining gfound through the work of missions. “Those who have been sent out to work as missionaries among us have been fathers and mothers in God io us,” said Mr. Nikora. “and those of us Maoris who are here to-night are but a few of the fruits of, their labours. Gradually but surely Christianity js coming -into Maori life, through the in--‘fluence of the people whom you have been supporting. For us Maoris to rise in the scale of life we must always look to you; we must always seek from you your interest and your help. The, pakeha life and the Maori life are two totally different things. Before you came we lived our own life. When you came you showed us that yours was a better life" and it overwhelmed ours. We accepted it as we want to rise. We cannot/ carry on any longer according to our Maori standards. You must help us. You cannot rebuild our race in one day. The Maori people are, crying out to you from the depths of ignorance and darkness. What is your answer?” Speaking of the Maori’s desire for fellowship .with his pakeha brother, ■ Mr. Nikora said: “When you meet a Maori give him a Christian pod of recognition, of brotherly recognition. It will go a long way; just one nod. I pray that you will never lose the sense of your responsibility of supporting Maori missions, and that you will support them, not because it is a responsibility, but because you love Christ and love those whom Christ loves.”