ASIATICS CONTROVERSY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 807, 30 October 1929, Page 18

ASIATICS CONTROVERSY

METHODIST MISSIONER’S CLAIMS MAORI VIEW EXPLAINED The precipitation of a controversy on the value of the complaints against Asiatic influence among natives is considered regrettable by the Akarana Maori Association, especially in view of the pending report of the Committee of Inquiry. A statement In reply to the contention of the Rev. A. J. Seamer, superintendent of the Methodist Maori Mission, and Sister Ivy Jones, organiser of the Maori Girls’ Club, that the complaints were exaggerated, was made by the association yesterday. Considering that opinions given by Mi-. Seamer and Sister Jones reflect on the part taken by the association in the question, the association explains the extent of its connection with inquiry into the situation. The points defining the association’s position are: The association was not the instigator of the setting-up of the Committee of inquiry. Its evidence to the committee consisted simply of facts recorded in its books. It was told by the committee that its evidence understated the extent of Asiatic influence. The association is interested, basically, in the result of Asiatic contact with the Maori race. Illustrating the part taken by the Akarana Association in the Asiatic question, Mr. George Graham said this morning that the body was not the instigator of the Committee of Inquiry because it learnt from the Government, on making its original plea for legislation, that the forming of an investigation commission had been contemplated. “ABSURD CLAIM” “It has been said for Mr. Seamer that he is more acquainted with Maori home life than a Maori organisation itself. That is absurd,” said Mr. Graham. “Sister Jones admits that there is an evil, and it has been the effort of the association, which has been formed about two years only, to show that the evil exists. Although it is said for Mr. Seamer that he was engaged in the question before we were, no appeals were made before the association was formed. “We are not oblivious to the good w-ork of Mr. Seamer and Sister Jones, but we regret their having embarked on such a controversy while the committee’s finding is yet to be made known. Our statements were challenged and the assertions could not be allowed without a reply of what has been the association’s part.” As another instance of the large amount of evidence gathered from sources not connected with the association, Mr. Graham said that several dozens of witnesses were understood to have been heard by the committee, while only three were heard from the association. j Mr. Graham mentioned that the association originally referred its com- ' plaints to a Chinese missionary and I seven leading Chinese merchants of , Auckland.- Two Chinese clubs were written to. but no answer was re- ! ceived by the native association.