RATANAISM

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 21, 16 April 1927, Page 1

RATANAISM

“NOT ON THE WANE” DENIAL BY LEADERS ARCHB. SHOP’S STATEMENTS (.Special to THE SUN.) WANGANUI, Friday. The statements credited to the Primate of New Zealand, his Grace Archbishop Averill, that after his annual visitation to the people of the North he was convinced that Ratanaism is on the wane is considered by certain authorities in this district to be quite contrary to fact. The Archbishop' calls Ratana a “Maori prophet.” In that the Archbishop again shows ignorance, says one prominent Maori. Ratana has never claimed to be a prophet. In fact he has always strongly opposed being classed as a prophet. In all his cures he has maintained that he is purely the humble instrument of God’s hands restoring health to sick bodies. Ratana by bringing together all denominations has accomplished what all other churches have failed to do, and the work established by him is now being carried on by an executive. The number of adherents, said one well-informed Maori, is greater to-day than ever. Tl\is authority maintains that the Anglican Church has never shown sympathy towards Ratana, but on the other hand at various times it has gone out of its way to decry his work. That the Ratana church is still a live, very vigorous force is proved by the number of Maoris arriving to take part in the Easter gathering. Already a fair number have taken up quarters at the pah, whilst many hundreds are expected within the next few days. It is contemplated that there will be from 2,000 to 3,000 Maori visitors, many coming from the North. Another member of the Ratana executive regrets the statements of Archbishop Av. <ll. If the Archbishop doubted the statement, an open invitation was extended to him to attend the Easter gathering at Ratana, when he would be in a position to judge for himself at close quarters whether there was a falling-off in the enthusiasm. He would also have access to the rolls. The young Maori element, which was introduced into the movement, was going to be a great strengthening power, and a great force among the Maoris. The movement, he concluded, was as solid as a rock.