IN RATANA’S WAKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2320, 25 August 1921, Page 3

IN RATANA’S WAKE.

FATALISM AMONG MAORIS

REFUSAL TO TAKE MEDICINE

A Native school teacher in the North writes to the Nqw Zealand Herald as follows: —

‘ “Much has been published about the good work Ratana is doing, but there is another phase of his work that must be considered, a potent factor for ill to be reckoned with. It may not be generally known that Ratana carries with him .a book. Natives say those who sign this book pledge not to take medicine in fl.ny form, or even to seek medical aid, but. to trust in prayer alone. Even children of nine are allowed to sign. • “Disastrous results are already seen. I will quote one of many eases. Recently a woman sought medical aid in the eleventh hour. Investigations revealed a horrible state of affairs. The woman had been ill a fortnight, during which time she had suffered agony, the pain at times being so intense as to cause unconsciousness. An obstruction had formed in the bowel, which ruptured, peritonitis sfetting in, and death ensued.

“Everything that medical skill could do was done, but. assistance was called too late. The Natives refused to do anything for the woman, even to give her castor oil, or any other similar remedy. The woman was naturally robust, and could easily have recovered had she received proper attention at the beginning. Some idea of her vitality may be gained from the fact that for eight hours previous to her death she was pulseless, failing even to react. to digitalin. The Natives now firmly assert that the woman’ died because she sought medical aid and took medicine, and that had she continued in prayer alone she would have recovered.

“I am not prejudiced against Ratana and his work. On the contrary I am a believer in the efficacy of prayer. Such results may even be diametrically opposed to Katana’s intentions, hut, nevertheless, they show the Native interpretation of jlatana’s ideas. The whole thing has degenerated into fatalism and religious fanatacism. As such, how much better is it than tohungaism Is it not even more insidious, inasmuch as it has pakeha recognition, an achievement tohungaism did not even dare to hope for’ Innocent lives are being sacrificed. “What if an epidemic should come? Would not Native settlements be hotbeds for the dissemination of contagion? Why should Ratana, a Native, understanding the tendency of the Native mind l<> extremes, induce his followers to sign a book at all? Children are neglected, Hakihaki and other skin diseases are spreading. If an European were to neglect his offspring he would be prosecuted, and rightly too. Why should a. Maori be allowed to go free? Is there not one law for both? Why cannot an example be made of one or two? Would it not have a wholesome effect? For the sake of innocent children who arc suffering, and the health of the community in general, something should be done immediately to’ stem this baneful influence. The matter is urgent.”