RATANAISM

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1927, Page 4

RATANAISM

SIR APIA AX A NGATA’S VIEW. ‘•We, of the Young .Maori Party, do not identify ourselves with the Katana movement, and it seems too dramatic to become a permanent influence,” said Sir Apirunn Ngatn, M.P., when speaking of Ratanism to a. Press representative last week. Sir JApirnua added that the movement was essentially a religious one. while the young .Maoris concerned themselves with the educational turn cultural side of Maori progress. It had been authoritatively stated recently that the movement was not on tho wane on the West Coast of the North Island, but he thought it was not as powerful as formerly on the East Coast. The majority of the Maoris hail commonseii.se enough tc> see that thero I was little in ii for them.

“The economic depression has r.onte Maoris in Xoith Island stop and consider vrafero they stand financially, with the result that many more are taking their coats off to-day than over before.” said Sir Apirami Xgata in the course of conversation.

This had been a good tiling for them in many respects, for they were lieginning to realise that their salvation was work. Speaking of Maori conditions goneially Sir Apirami said the most recent movement among them in the north was tho aggregation movement, where those who had common interests were leagued together in sumo kind of order. Hence they were be(oii.iug more united and were w:u in' in unison. 'I lie Native Land Court imd done some hard work and most ol the titles to the land worn non ipnte clear. The Maoris had given up all hope of ever regaining those 'mods by confiscation.