FAITH HEALING.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1920, Page 5

FAITH HEALING.

I DOCTRINE FOR MAORIS. "FAITH IN GOD CURES DISEASE." Reports have been current of an extraordinary religious movement operating in Taranaki for some months. It is stated that a native named Tahupotiki Wireniu Ratana has been preaching and practising faith healing. Five hundred people profess to have been cured "by the power of God and belief in His name." Rafcana seems to have studied his Bible and given it a literal rendering. His creed is the creed of almost any Christian church, adding to it the conviotion that "faith in God" also cures diseases. He warns his followers against "tohungas and their system," and proclaims Christ's message of "a new birth." He intends visiting the Hawke's Bay pahs and then goes on to Gisborne, and probably the Waikato. Enquiries made by a Daily News reporter from a New Plymouth gentleman with extensive knowledge of the Native race elicit that ''faith healing" is not a Maori custom; its place of origin, it is understood, being America, where it is reported to have attained some success on numerous occasions. The authority above referred to had no news of the movement among the Maoris. He remarks, however, that it has been noteworthy that as the Native race become I accustomed to European modes of life! they pick up some of our ideas, but often in the wrong* direction. This, however, is peculiar to native people the world -over. Te Whiti-ism was a form of the doctrino of faith-healing, and another movement, started by the notorious Rua, was called Hingatu (hold up the hand). It appears peculiar that the native referred to warns his followers against "tohungas and their system," for'such is not the inherent Native spirit. That the modern tohunga is, however, a "humbug" is the opinion of one qualified to speak on the subject, from experience of the. race, though he adds a word of respect for the tohungas of olden , days, some of whom apparently had a knowledge of telepathy, hypnotism, and such like, and predicted all manner of events before their occurrence. Other enquiries made by the Daily (News representative shed a new light on the report of this religious movement. A gentleman who conies in contact with the a good deal states that Tahupotiki is a missionary on behalf of one of the recognised churches. He is of native descent, and works in Southern Taranaki territory. This gentleman doubts that such a. .doctrine has been adopted by the missionary.