MAORI AND PAKEHA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5497, 6 November 1929, Page 2

MAORI AND PAKEHA.

METHODIST WORK.

LITERATURE AND BACK-BLOCKS

During the concert on Friday evening last given by the Methodist Maori Mission delegation Mr A. J. Seamer told some interesting stories, and had some very interesting things to say, about the Maori Race and ityMr Seamer recounted now the Maoris of Taranaki told with great gusto a story of the first days of the mission. They had heard in the early days of what was going on in the north, and wanted a white missionary for themselves. It was found impossible at the time to send one to them, so on their own account they went to the Bay of Islands with a strong bodyguard and refused to leave without one. In the end their demands were met, and these early Maori Chirstians carried the missionary and his wife practically all the way back to Taranaki on stretchers over the rough trails then existent.

It had been said that Christianity among the Maoris in the early days was only skin deep. He could give many reasons to prove it had gone right to the heart, and, if they had worn clothes in those days, to the pocket, too ; and as everyone knew, it was hardei- to get to the pocket than to the heart. However, one example of how Christianity went to the Maoris’ hearts was' the freeing of slaves. On receiving the Bible they had released their slaves, a thing that was accomplished in England and the United States of America only by the passing of legislation. The Maoris had studiously observed Sunday. Methodists, Anglicans, and Roman Catholics had all been consistent in their endeavours to have Sunday a day of rest and worship. It would be a good thing for New Zealand if it were so.

Mr Seamer said he had been questioned on the amount the mission had been spending on literature for the back-blocks of New Zealand. In answer he related how he had been asked to take over' the guidance of Christians in a certain area. He went to the pah in question tolsee how they were getting on. Asked what literature they had, after a great hunt one or two bibles were found ; after further search one or two Methodist hymn and prayer-books were brought to light ; and still later a copy and a half of an old school journal. On asking if they had not anything more, along came a child with two papers—copies of “Truth” I Mr Seamer stated that if the editor of that paper were present in the hall he would be the first person to admit that “Truth” was quite unsatisfactory as the sole literary diet for children.- At the time these papers had been produced one old chief said, through them : “We have found out the kind of people you are, and you have tried to make out that you were not so • bad as we thought you were after the New Zealand war. Now we know what pakehas are like.” It was another kind of truth that should be imparted, said Mr Seamer. The Government spent £BO,OOO on work among the Maoris, but what was the use unless we had. something to give them when we had to teach them. There were many children of school age in Maori pahs who were not getting any education whatsoever. The parents had asked that the mission should teach them, as the people were not willing to let the Government teachers do so. Those were some of the reasons for literature in the back-blocks.