THE RATANA MOVEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1921, Page 6

THE RATANA MOVEMENT.

THOUSANDS OF ADHERENTS. BIG MEETING AT CHRISTMAS. “Turi,” a gentleman who is closely in touch with the Maoris and the Katana movement, writes as follows in the New Zealand Herald:— The Ratana movement is still making great progress among the Maoris. The names of some 22,000 men, women, and children are now attached to the covenant, which is a simple pledge to accept the Christian faith in the Triune God and abandon all superstitions and witchcraft. Ratana himself is now most of his time at home at Ratana, and the railway station of that name, though but a flag station, is holding the premier position on the Aromoho-Marton line, 'for a never-failing stream oi pilgrims is going to and fro, and must add very considerably to the railway revenue. But Ratana does not encourage folk in the idea that it is necessary for them to see him if they are sick and wish to be cured by Divine healing. He is not an ordinary faith-healer. He contends that the whole matter depends upon the reality of the repentance and earnestness and purity of the beliefs and prayers of the sick person. In some districts he has appointed representatives to declare his message and secure signatures to his covenant. Some splendid results in the Divine healing phase of the movement are still being recorded, and the auti-tohunga propaganda is making a great impression and breaking fetters that have long hindered the progress of the race in Christian faith and ideals. The movement will probably reach its culmination in December, when the .position will be reviewed. Notices have been issued calling a native meeting for Christmas Day at Ratana. Ratana invites Maoris of all shades of faith or of no faith. Tohungas and prophets and teachers are challenged to come and show the fruits of their work also. Probably 12,000 natives will be present. Great preparations for the housing and victualling of the visitors are already in progress. By Christmas week the place will be a veritable canvas town. The report that has got abroad that Ratana has a Church of England clergy-

man as his official chaplain is denied. There seems to be no more foundation for this report than the earlier one that Ratana was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Ratana has many chaplains assisting him. It is stated on the best of authority that the movement up to the present has been absolutely non-sectarian in principle and character, and it is important that no other impression should find credence among the natives. This movement has grave perils, but it is so far accomplishing an immense amount of good, and should be given a “clear course and a fair run.”