AUTHORITY DISCLAIMED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 815, 8 November 1929, Page 11

AUTHORITY DISCLAIMED

MAORI MISSIONER AND CRITICISM ASSOCIATION’S RESOLUTION A resolution disclaiming the right of the superintendent of the Methodist Maori Mission, the Rev. A. J. Seamer. to speak with authority on the Asiatic-Maori question was passed last evening by the Akarana Association. The association adhered to its view, after a controversy begun by a statement by Mr. Seamer, that Mr. Seamer does not know more of native life than the natives themselves. Unsolicited statements on the Asiatic question by four Maori women from North Auckland were made to the association last evening. The women had made no arrangement to address the association and came to the city simply to tell the association of the experiences of their own daughters when seeking employment in Auckland. One woman said she had taken a daughter and two nieces away from the city. In its resolution the association regretted the precipitation of a controversy by Mr. Seamer and said the terms in which Mr. Seamer's criticism was framed indicated that lie was not in complete touch with Maori life. In disclaiming Mr. Seamer’s authority, the association said the missioner. as a representative of only one church denomination, did not have a full knowledge of the lives of all natives.