Te Toa Takitini 3
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Te Toa Takitini
(Which grew out of Te Kopara)
Te Kopara followed Te Pipiwharauroa.
Te Pipiwharauroa followed He Kupu Whakamarama
which began in 1898.
Registered at the GPO as a Newspaper.
(Maori Version at PapersPast.)
Number 3, Hastings, 1 October, 1921.
THE OBJECTS OF THE PAPER.
People are like God in one way, as it says in the Prayer Book, ‘That we worship one God in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity.’ [Me whakaae ki te Tokotorutanga: otiia kaua e wehea te Kotahitanga. – And confess the Trinity but do not divide the Unity.] Our children know the symbol on the books produced by the YMCA – the three-sided symbol called a ‘triangle.’ That symbol is a reminder of the three parts of a person, that is, body, mind and spirit, but they make up one being, that is, a person. These are the three things that Te Toa Takitini aims to promote. A person will not grow properly if they only develop their body. Nor will they benefit if they concentrate only on profiting from getting learning. Nor will the canoe come safely to land if our concern is only with spiritual things. The canoe will capsize. A person has three parts. We are to develop all these three parts if we are to cope with the ways of this world and of the spiritual world of which we claim to be ‘citizens’ [tangata whenua]. In the articles in our paper some will be concerned with our bodily lives, some with our minds, and some with our spiritual lives. These three aspects will be dealt with in all editions of Te Toa Takitini. The great concern of the directors of our paper is the advancement of the Maori People. We will not permit ridicule or mockery or abuse in this paper. But there is a place for criticism where people are in error, and corrections.
Therefore, friends, make every effort to support this treasure of ours. Leave it up to the Editors to decide what to print and what to leave out. Sirs, gratify our paper with important stories [kei nga papa-kikokiko e mau ana] lest you take leave of us soon and this wisdom is lost.
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Friends, who have been through the schools, let your voices be heard guiding your people into the ways of goodness and health. The messenger who will carry you good sayings, your kind sayings, your life-giving sayings, to every marae is Te Toa Takitini.
A PARABLE
The man in charge was pulling the signal-box levers as a large train entered a German town. The train was nearing the station. Looking at the line he saw his little son standing on the line. There was no time to run and lift his son to safety. Then he shouted to his son, ‘Lie down.’
The son heard and lay down. The father ran out as the train passed. When he reached his son lying there not a part of him had been struck. He was saved because he listened. Had he knelt he would have been killed. We will have life if we listen to the voice of our heavenly Father.
LETTERS RECEIVED.
To the Editor of Te Kopara.
Greetings. At the request of the printer of Te Kopara I have sent many articles to be printed. They have been articles that I have carefully mulled over and which I believe to have been true. Therefore I have not sought to answer people’s criticisms, but I do want to respond to the article by T Renata in Te Toa Takitini, Number 1. My friend, T Renata, does not criticize my article about the works and ways of Ratana. Perhaps he is affirming that what he says is true and that he too has seen what Ratana does. My main point is that I have not seen miracles, but perhaps T Renata has seen miracles. I have heard many, many stories of miracles but I personally have not seen any. T Renata has asked that I go to the ‘Christmas’ to see T Ratana face to face. I have seen Ratana, but what I have not seen are his miracles. Will the miracles be seen at the ‘Christmas’? T Renata’s main criticism is that I have not spoken to Ratana face to face, as if I was talking behind his back. Now, my article has been spread to all places, wherever the sun shines. When I saw Ratana it was in a place of his own choosing and he just wandered about.
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It may be that if perhaps I see his works and hear him speaking I will be able to set out my thoughts – when I have time to ponder on them. My article was not written to Ratana but for everyone and the easy way in which to share my article was in Te Kopara. If what I say is wrong these please point out my errors; if it is right then why was I criticized?
R T Kohere.
◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊
Waimarama,
September 6th, 1921.
To the Editor.
My friend, please publish these words and let them be carried by our paper to all the marae of the two islands, Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu. Tribes and hapu, I have seen for myself the burdens that have come upon our relative, Wiremu Ratana, indeed upon us, the people who bring our stresses to Ratana. He is devoting his goodwill towards people to obtaining food for the marae. Therefore let us take in the following saying:
‘Ko te patu ki tetahi ringa, ko te whakapuru ki tetahi ringa [noho māha ana, haere māha ana.]’ [cf Nga Pepeha 1579]
‘With the weapon in one hand and the shield in the other, go or stay contentedly.’
My hapu is helping with this matter.
From your friend in peace,
T Renata.
◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊
(This is a letter sent by our elder, Paratene Ngata, to this bird, Te Kopara, whose wings have been trimmed by this elder, Te Whakaaro-kore. It is good that I take it up. He Toa Takitini, you have broad backs to carry it. What you are lifting is a letter from your remaining elders.)
To the Editor of Te Kopara.
Greetings.
I am saddened by the words of farewell, including the saying, ‘We have arrived at the parting of the ways; you are going on your journey and I on mine.’ It is as if you are going to the island of Hautouru to live in isolation and will be lost to us. Farewell, Bird, as you go to the many valleys of Hastings to be cared for there. Farewell! It is a tragic day for Te Rau. It has fostered two great treasures over many years and now they have left its bosom.
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But in these days it has been set apart as a mother to cherish girls and to be the seedbed for their growing up in the world. Enough of that. My heart revived when I saw the article by R T K in Te Kopara Number 89. It was lucid and right. It is my wish that many intelligent people will take up that subject and discuss it carefully. Te Reweti says that the main reason for the deterioration of the Maori language is that it is not well taught in schools or by parents to their children. This is a very clear call to the parents and the carers to do something to set this right at this time and to get the parents to teach their children how to speak Maori. As to the schools, we should all be encouraging the teaching of Maori in Anglican Schools like Te Aute, Hukarere and Waerenga-a-hika and schools like St Stephens and others. I ask, ‘Why was this noble language concealed from the Maori People? It has not been taught to the Maori People. This is a grievous matter for the Maori People, a grievous wrongdoing, no, a sin. Our Pakeha have suppressed it so that it is not taught. I am sad about another matter that Te Reweti did not deal with. A Maori man whose land has come to him through his Maori side goes to the Court to have himself declared a Pakeha and to have his land designated as Pakeha land. These are signs that we observe that Maori are abandoning their Maoritanga and their Maori roots. Perhaps a person should not be condemned for teaching his children English but I have a grievance. My criticism is of the abandoning of speaking Maori and the practice of speaking only English – let them be Maori. In this way people abandon the Maori language. It was the right practice of our ancestors to give Maori names to all the many Pakeha objects. They agreed that given the sound of the English language it was right to have Maori names for those things. Those who composed waiata were experts, therefore when Tamatea was rubbing the head of Kahungunu when he was a baby that elder sang the lullaby,
‘Ko te rite i ahau ko Maahutonga e rauna i te ao.’
?I am like Maahutonga going around the earth.’
From your elder of the Old World.
Paratene Ngata.
25/8/21
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THE WAY OF LIFE FOR THE MAORI PEOPLE.
(This letter was sent to us by one of the wise and learned Pakeha, H Hill Esq. He was the Chief Inspector of Government Schools in Hawkes Bay for many years. In 1919 he was also Mayor of the town of Napier. He is someone who loves the Maori People.)
To the Editor of Te Toa Takitini.
Greetings. I have received a copy of the first edition of Te Toa Takitini. I am sending this to congratulate you on your excellent paper. My hope is that your paper will go from strength to strength carrying its luggage to feed people’s brains as kumara feed their bodies. You are aware that I give much thought to the situation of the Maori People. For forty years now I have been wandering around all parts of this country. My affection for Maori has not grown cold but continues to increase. It is that affection which calls me to spread some seeds in the cultivation which is your paper, and if the Maori people see these seeds then perhaps they will see the fruits of happiness and life. During those forty years I observed Maori boys and girls. Some of those children have now become elders and are rather different. But they are not in my mind’s eye what I would like them to be as Maori. I think it is foolish when Maori seek to change in order to be like Pakeha. As a Pakeha I don’t see any advantage in turning into a Maori. I would not be able to change my blood. In English hotels they have signs hanging above the entrance porches. The name of one of those hotels is ‘Work is a Waste of Time.’ The picture above that name is of a black man in a tub of water. Two Pakeha are scrubbing him with brushes and soap. Those two Pakeha think that they will be able to do away with the blackness of the black man’s skin. Under that picture are the words, ‘Work is a Waste of Time.’ This is a parable. Maori should not seek to adopt all aspects of Pakeha life. But follow in the footsteps of your chiefly ancestors. Their words are sacred and authoritative. In character they are true people.
(To be continued.)
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THE WAIAPU SYNOD.
The Synod of the Diocese of Waiapu was held in Napier on 12 September. In the President’s Address he said:
1. He thanked his Commissioner, Archdeacon Williams, for his excellent running of the Diocese while he was away in England.
2. Clergy who have died. He paid tribute to Mr McNickle, Head Teacher of Te Aute, 1913 – 1918, who has died. He also paid tribute to Ratema Te Awekotuku who died at Rotorua, and Henare Wepiha who died at Te Wairoa.
3. Clergy moves. He spoke of the position of the ministers. Reweti Kohere has resigned and has returned to live on his farm. Piri Manaro has been appointed to Te Wairoa and Nuhaka. Paora Temuera has been moved to Rotorua. The Rev W A Te Waaka has been moved to Te Whakarewarewa. The Rev E M Eruini has arrived in Whakatane. And Rewi Wikiriwhi is to go to Tokomaru. Tuahangata Perieha is minister for Te Puke and Tauranga. The Rev A Rangi has moved to Takapau.
4. Archdeacon. The Rev Chatterton has been appointed Archdeacon for the Province of Tauranga.
5. Memorial. During the war Herbert Coleman was killed. His father erected a church at Crownthorpe as a memorial to his son. The deeds of that church have been transferred to the Church Board.
6. Secretary. Mr Turner Williams (Younger brother of Herbert and the others) has been appointed as Secretary to manage the Diocesan finances. He is a good and knowledgeable man.
7. The Maori Church.
There are two matters for us to consider. (a) The difficulty of finding money to pay for the work of the Maori section of the Church. The Williams Trust money comes from agriculture and farming. The drop in farm prices means that that fund also suffers. This year the fund is yielding only half the previous amount. Next year it may not even reach half. Then the work of the Maori section of the Church will face comparable difficulties. We have looked at the strength s of each parish to determine whether they will be able to meet all their obligations. There are very few shillings lying in the Church’s purse to help the Mission areas. The old parishes are relying on their continuing strength to keep themselves going. I have much praise for the efforts of some parishes. In Hawkes Bay those parishes are turning
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to help the places that are struggling. Perhaps these difficult circumstances will inspire the old parishes to become self-sufficient, and so make available the money they have been receiving from the Williams Trust to be used to spread the Gospel to the many peoples of the world living in darkness. (b) One of the matters we are uneasy about is the shortage of Maori clergy. There are very few Ministers. It is not good to join up two or three parishes. But what can be done if there are no ministers? There are two ways of meeting this need. First, we can urge young Maori to consider taking up the ministry, those who are aware that they are called by the Spirit of God to this position. Secondly, it there are no Maori, we can look amongst the Pakeha for clergy to minister to Maori.
THE KILLING OF BISHOP PATTESON.
On 20th September, 1871, Bishop Patteson was killed by the indigenous people of one of the Melanesian Islands, Nukapu. That island group is known as Santa Cruz. This year is the Fiftieth Anniversary of the death of that Bishop. Thoughtful people are remembering the work of the Faith in Melanesia at this time. This is a difficult mission area because the islands are so far apart and the coal required to fuel the fires which get the ship, ‘The Southern Cross,’ from one island to another is very expensive. Those who run the Mission asked us for our gifts because they have a large debt. They asked us to collect five thousand pounds in a single month. Out of love for the Church the Pakeha parishes of New Zealand have raised that £5000 in a single month. On 20th September the amount had reached £5,900. Those who didn’t have shillings placed possessions, gold and silver and other valuable items in the collection plate. This is a sign of the deeply felt appreciation of the dying of our Lord to redeem all people – even the murderers of the Bishop of Melanesia; Christ died for them and that is why the Pakeha placed their rings, their gold, their ear-rings in the offertory plate for the work of God. The Maori rub their eyes and say, ‘What’s going on?’ They have eyes but they cannot see.
Maori areas that responded to this appeal in the Diocese of Waiapu are: Hukarere School £40; Gift from Omahu and Moteo £2/2/7; Friends Group from Omahu, Waipatu, and Te Kohupatiki £100; Turanga £3; Gift from W aipatu 10/-; Whakatane £3/5/3; Waimarama £1/13/8; Whakarewarewa Sunday School £1.
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THE TALK OF NEW ZEALAND.
We realize that at last a strong rugby team has visited New Zealand, the South African Team called ‘The Springboks.’ This is the name of a kind of South African deer. It runs fast and jumps high. The team played [iwa sic – nine] matches here.
Beat Whanganui 11-6
Tied with Taranaki 0-0
Beat Wairarapa 18-3
Beat Wellington 8-3
Beat West Coast (Arahura) 33-3
Defeated by Canterbury 6-4
Beat South Canterbury 34-3
Beat Southland 12-0
Beat Otago 11-3
Beat New Zealand 13-5
Beat Manawatu-Horowhenua 3-0
Beat Auckland 21-8
Beat Bay of Plenty 17-9
Beat New Zealand 9-5
Beat Waikato 6-0
Beat Hawkes Bay and Gisborne 14-8
Beat Maori 9-8
Beat Nelson and Marlborough 26-3
The final game against New Zealand was drawn. Neither team scored any points.
No football team has visited New Zealand as strong as the African team. It was not known which was the strongest team in the world, but it is between the Springboks and New Zealand.
MEETING ABOUT SHEEP SHEARING.
The Court arbitrating on sheep work sat in Wellington on 25th August. Because there is little space available in this edition of the paper we cannot print a full account but we can print now the motion passed by the Inspecting Body and the sheep shearers who met on 17th September. That statement said: Sheep work should be done according to the decision of the Arbitration Court and Pakeha should abide by the law. (To be continued.)
THE SUNDAYS IN OCTOBER.
October 2. Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity. The teaching of this Sunday concerns the old heart and the new heart. The Confession says, ‘We have erred and strayed etc.’ That is what the old heart does. The old heart is like dirty clothes that cannot be washed. Therefore we must seek new ones. Through the power of the Holy Spirit that can happen. The Collect for this day says, ‘Grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts.’ The Gospel reveals the thinking of the old heart in the words of the Scribes who said, ‘This man blasphemeth.’ In Genesis 50.15 one can see the working on the old heart in the way Joseph’s brothers treated him. (Read the Chapter.) The characteristics of the new heart are seen in 1 Corinthians 13.1-7.
Illustration. If there is much iron beside a compass then the compass is misdirected. It is the same with the old heart; it is taken over by worldly thoughts. The new heart sets this right. In the Epistle Paul points out the difference between the old heart and the new heart (17-19). The fruits of the new heart are truthfulness (25), no stealing, industriousness, sharing one’s goods with the needy (28), no evil talk comes out of one’s mouth (29). David prayed, ‘Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.’ (Psalm 141.3)
October 9. Twentieth Sunday. The theme for the teaching for this day is the saying, ‘That we being ready in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things that thou wouldest have done.’ Many people long for the bell that calls them to go to worship to stop. This happens because the soul is not ready to ‘cheerfully’ do things. In the Gospel there were some who were invited to a wedding but did not go in. There was one who came in wrongly and who was cast out into outer darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth. Peter thought that his soul was willing and said to his Lord, ‘I am willing to go with you to prison and even to death.’ (Luke 22.33) But before the cock had crowed three times he had denied his Lord three times. Jonah was called to preach, but because his soul was not willing and eager he ran away. (Jonah 1.1-3) What is the wedding garment of the Gospel? Romans 13.14 and Galatians 3.27.
October 16. Twenty-first Sunday. The teaching for this Sunday is about ‘The Christian’s Armour.’ In the Epistle Paul shows how a Christian can be equipped by taking truth as a girdle, righteousness as a breast-plate, the Gospel as shoes, faith as a wooden shield, salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as a sword. Where does one find these garments? In baptism, in worship, at the Lord’s Supper. Paul says, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ (Philippians 4.13)
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THE TEACHERS OF THE MAORI SCHOOLS.
People, this is an explanation to you so that you may be informed about the teachers who are teaching your children and grandchildren so that they get an up-to-date education in worldly matters, in spiritual things, and so that they are able to find ways of making a living for themselves. After school ended they met during the summer to find ways of improving the running of their schools. They came up with many good ideas. One issue I observed and it caused me to wonder. The issue was put in this way. It has been observed that parents can be diligent or weak in the way they bring up their children, in helping them with their school work, in seeing that they have good clothes, in feeding them with the right foods.
These discussions were very enlightening, but perhaps their very clarity obscured something in the thinking, something alien to these enlightening words. By these kinds of discussions, by these points of view, one sees the high standing of these people, our school teachers. It is right to say here that, because of the limitations of the parents, or their lack of time, or the distractions of all that has to be done in the home, it falls to the school teachers to be the parents who are to guide the children to the heights of the world that wise parents want their children to reach. Of childhood, Christ says, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.’ [Mark 19.14] But when they become elders they have this word, ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’ [Matthew 11.28] These words of explanation point out the characteristics of childhood and of old age, therefore it is right that it is the Father who is first and school teachers who are second. Be good to the teachers of those who are growing up and whose days lie before them. It is for them to carry Maori mana in the context of Christianity after us. Bless our school teachers who guide our children and grandchildren and the people.
Children with severe coughs should take Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. 1/9, 2/9 a bottle.
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SHEEP SHEARING.
My friends who work as sheep shearers, since it will soon be time for this work to begin it is right that I speak to you before you go to your stations. I point out to you that the Shearers’ Union has worked hard to put in place the terms and conditions of pay for the coming season, and it is good that you know the pay negotiated by the Union before you start work, because it is not right for you to work for less than the Union has agreed. It is a good practice for people to come together in Unions but first a constitution must be put in place that ensures the rights of the many Maori members within the Union. One obvious thing is to establish a branch of the Union within an area. I say that there should be one in Hawkes Bay and one in Gisborne and similar ones in other areas perhaps.
But if there are large numbers it would be right to establish a branch of the Union in that area. I don’t think it right that Maori should join the Pakeha Union because Maori are different from Pakeha. Maori are not a people who travel to find work. Maori are not good at going to places other than their own area unlike the Pakeha. One important thing that we should look at carefully is that those making contracts ensure that the shearers and the rouse-abouts are paid the same. I often hear of those people paying their people less.
The [Ropu Mataara - ?Inspecting Body] is very keen that you are paid well for your sweat. The Officers of the Inspecting Body were asked to speak at the meeting of the sheep farmers. This was the word that was given to them. We agree to do all the work involved in shearing for the appropriate payments. Everything is difficult at the moment and therefore although the sheep farmers are complaining this year, you have to acknowledge that over past years you have received high prices for your wool, and we are in the same situation. Although we are aware of the difficulties that hang over all of us, as we see it you are having things easy while we, the working people are suffering more than you.. What would please us is sharing the suffering, i.e. Fairplay. Should a meeting be called together in Hastings one day make every effort to attend to see if we can’t find a way in which you who are working with sheep are properly supported. Best wishes. Be alert!
P[araire] H[enare] T[omoana]
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SUPPORT FOR TE TOA TAKITINI IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.
Name / Address / Payment / Subscription Ends
Uru Davis / Torere / 10/- / October 1920
Miss Grant / 3 Breakwater Rd, Napier /6/6 / August 1922
Mrs Riri Potaka / Pakowhai / 6/6 / August 1922
Tahu Wiremu Ratana / Ratana / 6/6 / August 1922
M Johnson Esq / Hastings / 10/- /August 1922
Tuahine Renata / Waimarama / 13/6 / Donation to the paper.
Tomoana Ihaia / Porangahau / 13/6 / Donation to the paper
Tomoana Ihaia / Porangahau / 6/6 / August 1922
D B Kent Esq / Waipukurau / 6/6 / August 1920
E M Leo? / Port Awanui / 6/6 / August 1922
Te Hapuku / Patangata / 6/6 / August 1922
Timoti Towhare / Waimarama / 21/6 / October 1922
Tauhine Renata / Waimarama / 11/6 / October 1922
D Scannell Esq / Hastings / 6/6 / September 1922
D Scannell Esq / Hastings / 13/6 / Donation to the paper
Piripi Rairi / Rangitukia / 21/6 / December 1922
Huri Korimete / Rangitukia / 11/6 / June 1922
Kereni Turei / Rangitukia / 6/6 / January 1921
E M Eruini / Whakatane / 6/6 / August 1922
E M Eruini / Whakatane / 13/6 / Donation to the paper
Barlow Tutaki / Porangahau / 6/6 / August 1922
Pongi Tutaki / Porangahau / 6/6 / August 1922
Pongi Tutaki / Porangahau / 13/6 / Donation to the paper
Canon Pahewa / Te Kaha / 6/6 / August 1922
Whaka Parakau / Lotten Point / 6/6 / May 1921
Wi Tupaea / Lotten Point / 6/6 / August 1922
Rutene Takina / 29 Kaiti Esplanade / 6/6 / August 1921
Mrs F Smith / Puha, Gisborne / 26/- / December 1924
Rota T Houia / Port Awanui / 6/6 / September 1922
Paki Ohuka / Ruatoria / 6/6 / April 1922
Tamati Pewhairangi / Tokomaru Bay / 6/6 / January 1920
Rev W G Williams / Wanganui / 10/- / March 1923
C Ellis Esq / Hunterville / 10/- / September 1922
Rev M T Taurere / Kaikohe / 5/- / August 1922
Sec. Diocesan Office / Napier / 6/6 / August 1922
THE RULES OF THE PAPER
One edition each month.
It is published on 1st of the month.
The subscription for the paper is 6/6 a year.
Send your letters and subscriptions to:
The Editor,
Te Toa Takitini,
Box 300, Hastings.
The paper will be sent free for a year to anyone who sends the names of six people along with their subscriptions to the paper. Those people should not have been previous subscribers to the paper. Be hardworking in promoting our paper.
Our paper is to be congratulated on reaching all parts of the country. So far no copies have been returned. Thank you for your help. If you assiduously send shillings to pay the Pakeha printers, we will be able add some items to increase the size of the paper.
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