RATANA'S WORK.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1921, Page 1

RATANA'S WORK.

PHASE OF THE CAMPAIGN. ] AUCKLAND, Aug. 22 A Native school teacher in the north writes as follows:—Much has been published about the work Katana, is doing, 1 hut there is another phase of his work that must be reckoned with. It may l not he generally known that Katana carries with him a hook. The Natives , say that those who sign this bookpledge themselves not to take medicine in any fornif or even to seek medical aid, but to trust in prayer alone. Even children of nine years are allowed to sign. Disastrous results are already seen. 1 will quote one of many eases. Recently a woman sought medical aid in the eleventh hour. Investigations revealed a horfible state of affairs. The woman had been ill a fortnight, dur- ' ing which time she had suffered agony, the pain at times lieing so intense as to cause unconsciousness. Death eventually ensged. Everything that medic ■> skill could do was done, but assistance was called too late. The Natives had refused to do anything for the woman. The woman was naturally robust, and could easily have recovered hail she received proper attention at the beginning. lam not prjudieed against Ratana and his work ; on the contrary I am a believer in the edicacy of prayer. Such results may even lie diametrically opposed to Ratann’s intentions, but nevertheless they show the Native interpretation of Katana’s idea. The whole thing has degenerated into fatalism and religions fanaticism. As such how much better is it than tohungaism? Is it not even more insidious, inasmuch as it has pakelia recognition an achievement tohungaism did not even dare to hope for. Innocent lives are being sacrificed. What if an epidemic should come? Would not the Native settlements he hotbeds for the dissemination of contagion? Why should Ratami, a Native understanding the tendency of the Native mind to extremes. induce his followers to sign a book at all? Cdiildren are neglected, and skin diseases are spreading. If a European was to neglect bis offspring lie would lie prosecuted, and rightly so. 100. Why should a Maori he allowed to go free? Is there not the one law for both? Why cannot an example he made of one nr two? Would it not have a wholesome effect? For the sake of innocent children who are suffering, and tlie health of the community in general, something should be 'lone immediately to stem this baneful inlluence. The matter is urgent.