Japanese Bishop Visits Auckland

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 247, 9 January 1928, Page 14

Japanese Bishop Visits Auckland

MAORI WEDDING IN NIPPON STRANGE CEREMONY RECALLED The first—and only—Maori wedding to take place in Japan was performed by Bishop Juji Nakada, who is now in Auckland. The Bishop came to New Zealand to renew his acquaintance with Ratana. head of the Ratana Maori Church. wedding took place four years A ago in Tokyo, when the Maori faith-healer, accompanied by a party of 50, was on his much-discussed visit to Japan. The bride was Ratana’s second daughter, and the groom one of his followers. Both were attired in Japanese bridal array. The Bishop solemnised the ceremony at the express desire of Ratana, whom he met again

BISHOP NAKADA the other day in his pa at Turakina. Ratana extended a cordial invitation to the Japanese bishop to visit the Maori people. Four years passed though before the prelate could accede to the request. OPINION OF MAORIS Bishop Nakada is strongly of the opinion, after his stay among the Maoris, that they are as yet “insufficiently Christianised.” They have not been educated, he declares, on a sufficiently spiritual basis. “There is far too much of their old superstitions in their present-day religion,” he says. As for Ratana? “There is no doubting his earnestness, and his aim to unify the Maori people is, I believe, a good one. Yet, whether he is obtaining the results for which he is aiming I do not know.” There was no doubt about the fact that Ratana, he said had “a strong magnetic personality,” and certainly the power to attract people. Again to quote the Bishop:—“There is another very good point in his favour. He will not accept money. Collections are unknown at his services, at which, incidentally, Ratana speaks but little. Only a few words.” NEW RATANA TEMPLE The new temple is to cost £4,000, and Bishop Nakada hopes to be present at its official opening before he leaves New Zealand. It is being erected entirely by the Ratana adherents, no Europeans being employed. The Maori leader's farm of 1,100

acres, he suggested, was responsible for providing a good deal of the money necessary for expenses, and he believed that a number of the Maoris brought gifts to the common fund. “No drinking is permitted in the pa—though I did see that some of the young men like to get away on the spree sometimes—ahd, generally, the settlement is quite efficiently conducted.” LIKES NEW ZEALAND Imbued with all the natural courtesy of his people, the Bishop is confidential and chatty and discourses in excellent English. Part of his education was obtained in the United States though there is nothing in his speech to betray that fact. Bishop Nakada’s mother is one of the oldest Methodists in Japan. His church, however, is the Japan Holiness Church. Evangelical experience was gained under the direction of the Oriental Missionary Society. The Bishop will return to Sydney next month via Wellington, and thence travel back to Japan. He is delighted with New Zealand. It reminds him so much of home. “Your country is very beautiful,” he enthusiastically bowed. There was no disbelieving Bishop Nakada. He meant it.