THE MAORI RACE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5145, 29 June 1927, Page 4

THE MAORI RACE.

SIGN OF ATTAINING ITS DESTINY.

The Rev. J. G. Laughton, one of the Presbyterian missionaries at work amongst the Maoris, gave some interesting information to a “Dominion” reporter:

“When the Master’s commission regarding the propagation of the Gospel of His kingdom was first given,” said Mr Laughton, “His command was that His disciples should commence their work at Jerusalem, their home centre, and thence extend outwards till it had reached the ends of the earth. The spirit of the commission remains unchanged, and therefore, although the Maoris are a small people, being people at our own door we regard them as one of our first missionary responsibilities.

“The history of missionary work among the Maoris has been a long one. One* might say that, if ever the Maoris were going to be Christianised this should have been accomplished long ere now ; but when we recall the tremendous difficulties of a primitive race being plunged, unprepared, into the maelstrom of our complex civilisation. we can understand why missionary effort among the Maori people has been long, and at times, disappointing. The impact of the two races threatened to extirpate the weaker one. The last census indicated that the decline of the race has been arrested. This is undoubtedly an indication that the race is. becoming naturalised to its new environment, and that'the people are laying hold of the principles of hygiene and morality, and those other spiritual life principles in which their salvation undoubtedly lies. This is certainly the fruit of missionary labour. In using the term ‘missionary’ I use it in its widest sense. I mean our native school, teachers and district nurses among the Maoris, not less than the representatives of the Churches who are labouring among them. One cotlid not speak too highly of the magnificent work done by the two first-named branches of our State service for the enlightenment and elevation of the native race. Education, filled with the spirit and power of the great Teacher Himself, is. we are assured, the great avenue to the salvation of the native race. We believe that the night is already over and gone, and that the day is at hand, and the descendants of that noble race who sailed the unchartered ‘Moana Nui,’ a Kiwa in their frail outrigger canoes, are not doomed to go down into ignominy, but that they will attain their own destiny and contribute their part to the commonwealth of God.”