[851]
TE
TOA TAKITINI
Number
86
Registered
at the GPO as a Newspaper.
Hastings
1st
October, 1928
A
PRAYER FOR OUR BISHOP
Almighty
God, giver of all good things; who, through your Holy Spirit have put in place
Ministers for your Church, look favourably on your servant who has been called
to be a Bishop, fill him with a true faith, enable him to live a life of purity
and of faithfulness to you, equip him to
speak well and may his works bring glory to your name, and may the Church
increase in goodness as he leads it in your ways. May this be done through the
living Lord Jesus Christ, the only King, and you, Father, and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen.
THE
EDITOR REGRETS
The
Editor apologises for the long delay in the production of your paper.
The
Editor has had influenza and at last he is up and about again. On October 12th
he was seen by the doctor and was sent to bed for three weeks. This is an
illness that restricted the blood to the right leg. By lying down the blood
began to flow again. In English, there was a blood clot. It was not serious.
The treatment for it was rest.
Published
by the Rev F A Bennett and printed at Cliff Press, Queen Street, Hastings, HB.
[852]
Te
Toa Takitini
Registered
at the GPO as a Newspaper.
The
Price of the Paper is 10/- a year.
Address
letters to ‘Te Toa Takitini,’ Box 303, Hastings.
1st
October, 1928.
[Much
of this page is illegible.]
REPORT
OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING AT AHIPARA. 21ST -22ND SEPTEMBER, 1928.
Those attending,
[Illegible.]
Matters
Dealt With.
1.
The
Maori Bishop. The
Committee discussed all aspects of this topic, everything that had happened
during the three years, the appointment of the Maori Bishop, when he would
start his work, and matters around his stipend. The elders of Te Rarawa, Te
Aupouri and Ngatikahu shared their thoughts about everything relating to the
Maori Bishop and their great pleasure that the person had been named. They were
of one voice in strongly supporting the proposal laid down at the hui at
[?.....whenua] about this Diocese’s Fund to provide help with the stipend of
the Maori Bishop.
2.
The
Ministers’ Stipend Fund. The
Committee clarified how the Synod at Te Kao had allocated the burden between the
Parishes.
3.
The
Puketopo Burial Ground. The
decision of the Maori Land Court about his place and its uses has been laid
down. The Ratana people want a place
[853]
to bury their dead outside the fence: there
is a place over the road to the
church. The response to this was that these people should make their
wishes known to the Archbishop.
4.
The
Maori Churches. [Much of this paragraph is illegible.] The total number of Maori belonging to the
Churches is
…………….
Church of England, 21,730; Ratana, 11,567; Church of Rome, 8558; Hauhau,
1,516; Wesleyan, 1,466; Ropu Mihana, 3,301; Mormon, 3,???; Presbyterians, 732;
Te Whiti and Tohu, 375; a Maori Church, 90; Rules - seven, 81; Seven Rules of
Jehovah, ?1]; [????] Christian
organisation, 335; Not known, 699; No faith, 319; Not a Christian, 12; Among the [?] people …..
The
Motions Passed
[Motions 1-3 are illegible.]
4
That
the Committee explains all the sums of
money held by the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Auckland. The Secretary
explained that the document laying out clearly all these things ha been
compiled by Archdeadcon Simkin. But in the accounts given by the Committee of
the money used in the running of the Maori Church in this Diocese what was
found by the people is that the Pakeha section has been very generous in
helping us.
5.
That a
new member for the Ahipara District be appointed to the Standing
Committee. Response: This cannot
be done at this time. It is for the coming Joint Synod to name a representative
for this district, but [?kei nga a pooti ano te tikanga mona sic].
6.
That the
Committee asks the Secretary to provide the numbers of all those attending Church,
as moved at Parawhenua, before the coming meeting of the Committee in December.
7.
That
the Account for the Fund for helping with the Maori Bishop’s Stipend be set up
at the bank as a Trust Account, the Trustees being those arranged at
Parawhenua.
8.
That
this meeting thanks the Standing Committee for their diligence in dealing with
all the matters referred to them.
9.
That
the Standing Committee thanks the local people for hosting this meeting in this
area and for their hospitality to all those who attended.
[854]
THE MAORI HUI OF THE DIOCESE OF WAIAPU,
HELD ON TUESDAY, 9TH OCTOBER, AT 10 A.M., AT NAPIER.
Attending:
Chairman: The Bishop of Waiapu
The Bishop-elect of
Aotearoa, Frederick Augustus Bennett.
Clergy:
Archdeacon Herbert Williams, Gisborne
Archdeacon F W Chatterton, Rotorua
Archdeacon J B Brocklehurst, Hastings
Canon Arthur Williams, Pukehou
Canon Arthur Williams, Te Kaha
Rev Hakaraia Pahewa, Te Aute College
“ A Neild, Heretaunga
“ Peni Hakiwai, Heretaunga
“ R Rangiaho, Mohaka
“ Hemi Huata, Nuhaka
“ W Mataira, Turanga
“ W T Puha, Whangara
“ W H Tangohau, Hikurangi
“ Pine Tamahori, Rangitukia
“ P Kohere, Ruatoki
“ R Tahuriorangi, Ruatoki
“ W A Te Waaka, Whakatane
“ M M Tumatahi, Te Ngae
“ E M E Tikao, Ohinemutu
“ P Te Muera, Taupo
Lay
Representatives
Mr H Hutana, Heretaunga
“
P Tomoana, Heretaunga
“ Renata Tamepo, Waipiro
“ Hakopa Haerewa, Tuparoa
“ Te Kani Te Ua, Turanga
“ Tuiringa Tarewa, Ruatoki
“ Wiremu Kingi, Ohinemutu
The
meeting began with prayer.
Rev
Pine Tamahori read the minutes of last year’s meeting. Approved.
The
meeting appointed Rev E M E Tikao to write up the business of the meeting.
Passed.
The
Bishop said: I point out to you, the clergy, that the list of names of Maori
Lay Readers throughout the Diocese is to be updated and corrected. Passed.
[855]
THE
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE BISHOP OF AOTEAROA.
1.
The
Seat for the Bishop of Aotearoa will stand in the Napier Cathedral
Rev Peni Hakiwai moved and
Canon Hakaraia Pahewa seconded:
‘That the Maori Ministers cover
all the expenses of the making of that seat.’
Passed.
2.
It is
appropriate that this seat is decorated with carving.
This matter is left in the
hands of those named below. They will decide on the carvings on the seat.
Archdeacon Herbert Williams
Dean F Mayne
Rev P Tamahor
Mr Wiremu Kingi
3.
The
Bishop’s Robes
The cost of the robes is around
£70 0
0. The money donated for those robes is as follows. The hapu of
Heretaunga have given £60 0 0 and the Pakeha of Clive, £10
0 0 – a total of £70 0 0.
4.
The
Date for the Consecration of the Bishop.
It has been confirmed that the
Consecration will take place on 2nd December, the First Sunday of
Advent, in Napier Cathedral, at 11 o’clock in the morning. Part of the service
will be conducted by Maori only and part by Pakeha.
5.
The
Preacher on that Day.
We are waiting for the
Archbishop to announce this.
6.
Maori
Hymns for that day.
The Bishop of Waiapu and Frederick Augustus
will choose the hymn or hymns for that service. The Litany [illegible].
[856]
7.
There
will be no mailed invitations for that occasion.
There is concern about mailing
invitations lest some are invited and other forgotten, causing dissatisfaction.
That will be a treasured day for the whole country, therefore, we are trusting
to the enthusiasm in people’s hearts to bring us together.
8.
The
Maori Ministers of Aotearoa.
The Ministers in every place
will want to celebrate with our father, Frederick Augustus, and those of you
who are free are welcome to come on that day.
9.
The
marae for visitors is at Te Pakipaki. Ngati Kahungunu in Hawkes Bay are doing
the arrangements. [Text illegible] A
train has been arranged to carry people from Te Pakipaki to Napier for the Consecration.
10.
The
Diocesan Office has confirmed that they will contribute the giving of all the
Parishes for three months.
11.
The Children
of Maori Clergy.
The Diocese has been
considering a means of helping the children of Ministers who are attending
Hukarere an Te Aute College. Canon Arthur Williams has said that four
scholarships will be available for ministers’ children, two for Te Aute and two
for Hukarere.
12.
The
Help of the Church for Ministers’ Children.
The amount to assist the
children will not come from the Parishes. This amount to help the Ministers’
children, which they will receive each month, will come from the Diocese alone.
Those Parishes which cannot raise the Minister’s stipend cannot say that they
are Self-supporting.
13.
The
Parish of Te Puke.
It has been arranged that part
of the stipend of the Minister of Te Puke will come from the Tauranga Fund.
14.
The
Ten Acres at Rotorua.
It was moved and passed: That the Diocesan
Board of Trustees will give the authority and the [illegible] over the ten acres to the Church at Ohinemutu.
SOME
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BISHOP OF AOTEAROA.
Archdeacon
Chatterton, Rotorua
My
warmest congratulations to you on being appointed to this sacred position. May
God give you the spirit of wisdom and of love and of authority, so that you may
fulfil well the great work laid before you
[857]
Miss
Bulstrode, Whakarewarewa
We
praise God that you have been called. We are delighted.
Dr
Ellison, Akaroa.
I
congratulate you on being appointed the first Bishop for the Maori People. Kia
ora.
Emire
Poraumati, Rotorua
Glory
to God and peace on earth. Kia ora.
????????????,
Auckland
I
congratulate you and give thanks that you have been chosen as first Bishop for
the people. I am overjoyed.
?????????????,
Whangarei
We
are delighted that you are to ascend to this lofty position. Kia ora.
H
Wills, Otaki
Greetings
to you, my friend, in this new office, as figurehead of the Maori Church.
Matene Te Whiwhi said: ‘The weapon [manuka]will fly and enter.’ So, Koro, enter
in, with the love and the hopes of your friends, Maori and Pakeha.
Wihapi,
Te Puke.
This
part of Te Arawa congratulate you who are to be made first Bishop of Aotearoa.
Kia ora.
Wiremu
Kingi, Ohinemutu
An
honour for the blessings which your mind thought of. Much love.
Head
Prefect, St Stephen’s School, Parnell.
The
pupils of St Stephen’s want to carry the Episcopal Crozier for you.
(The response: Kia ora. The crozier is
being arranged by the widow of the Bishop of Auckland, Mrs Crossley.)
The
Pakowhai Church.
Greetings
to you. We are aware of the great honour that has conferred on us Maori through
the blessing of God.
The
Te Kohupatiki Church.
A
mist has descended on Kahuranaki which will not be [?ahiahi – ? dispersed
by the sun’s heat.] It is raised up from Rotorua.
Ropera
Tahuriarangi, Ruatoki
We
have great joy and gladness at the treasure being bestowed upon you and we
praise the Father for conferring this on the servant of his choice. Kia ora.
Rev
Waaka, Whakatane.
May
our Heavenly Father strengthen you.
Rikihana,
MLC, Waimate North
The
puriri trees of Taiamai laugh with joy that the choice has fallen on you and
that you are to be father to the Maori People. Long life to you.
[858]
Archdeacon
Brocklehurst, Napier.
All
the Pakeha clergy of the Diocese congratulate you on being chosen for this
important office. May God bless you.
GREETINGS
TO THE BISHOP
Kaikohe,
October
3rd, 1928
To
the Editor.
Hastings.
Dear
Friend,
The
following motion was passed at the meeting of the Standing Committee held at
Ahipara,
22nd – 24th September, 1928.
‘The hui sends
its congratulations to the Rev Frederick Augustus Bennett who has been called to be the first ridge-pole,
the first of the Bishops of Aotearoa, to give voice to the thoughts of the
elders of the past fifty years and to give expression to the joy of these
tribes. And we pray that he will know the sheltering of the Lord to strengthen
him as he leads his Maori People.
This
was the first meeting of the Standing Committee since he was called to the
office of Bishop for the Maori People, therefore we are sending this greeting
from this section of the Maori People in this part of Aotearoa. Our best wishes
in the blessings of the Heavenly Father.
From
your servant in the work,
W
N Panapa
Secretary
of the Standing Committee.
ALCOHOL
By
the Editor.
If
we compare the state of the Maori People of this time with what it was during
the past twenty years we can only wonder at the improvement.
The
practice of heaping up stacks of liquor has disappeared, it is difficult to
find a drunken woman, and very few men are seen drunk in the towns. This state
of things should be a cause for praise to our Heavenly Father. The consumption of liquor by
Maori has reduced.
What
are the reasons for this?
1.
Maori
are better educated. We are more aware of the fruits of what we do. We are
aware of the right things the Pakeha value and which can be a blessing to us, and
of the things we must throw away.
2.
We
have deepened our appreciation of the teachings of the Chriatian Faith.
Right-thinking people are embarrassed to speak about drunkenness. We have
learned that getting drunk does not fit with the teachings of scripture.
3.
Most
of our Maori leaders are strongly in favour of doing away with alcoholic drink
and are advising young people to be careful and to stop drinking. Look at our
Members of Parliament – Sir Maui Pomare, Sir Apirana Ngata, Tau Henare, Hare
Uru, and our elder in the Upper House, Te Rikihana. All these people who are
elevated by the people are not known for consuming much alcohol.
4.
Perhaps
because money is more difficult to come by we are loth to waste our shillings.
In the past money came easily and also disappeared easily. In the past if one
had no money one sold land. Money just disappeared, it was not something to be obtained
by the sweat of the brow. People did not know the value of money. But now, because
it is difficult to get money, people are careful. This is one good fruit of our
poverty.
[859]
Wasting
Money.
Over
the past three years, 1925 to 1928, the total amount spent on liquor in New
Zealand was £25,839,693. The total umber of people sent to prison or fined, or
put on probation for being drunk was 26,725.
Although
it is difficult for people to find work these days it seems that is easy to
find money for drinking. If that twenty-five million pounds was used rightly in
jobs that would provide a living for a person New Zealand would not have such
problems. The reason for these is that this huge amount of money is being wasted by being poured down people’s throats.
Besides the waste, the outcome of this activity is bad in that we have these
26,725 people who stand before the judge and are being punished according to
the law for this and that.
So
we have the Pakeha looking carefully at us Maori people. Our Maori ancestors
did not have alcoh0lic drinks. This was a new weed that followed closely on the
arrival of the Pakeha in New Zealand. For almost one hundred years we have been
observing the fruits of that drink, and we see clearly that there are no good
fruits of that drink. We, the Maori People, all have the desire at this time to
ascend to the noble heights of Pakeha and Maori. Besides wanting to improve as
individuals, we want all the people to improve. Therefore, all my people, let
us teach our children ‘to reach out to that which lies ahead, to the goal, to
the prize which is God’s call to the life above, in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians
3.13-14)
[860]
THE
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.
These
are some words gathered together from the Scriptures to awaken our spirits. These
verses are collected by Miss Williams of Hukarere School. Alth0ugh her eyes no
longer give her sight (she is almost ninety years of age) her spiritual sight
is very clear. Her thoughts and her love are for the children who have attended
Hukarere over the past fifty years, from the start of the school to the present
day. She prays faithfully for her children every day. Miss Keith and Miss
Marianna are both well and have great love for their children of the Maori
race.
Read
these verses and pray to God that our hearts may be set right so as to be his permanent
dwelling-place.
1.
While
the bridegroom tarried. They all slumbered and slept. Matthew 25.5.
2.
Wherefore
he saith, Awake thou that sleepest. Ephesians 5.14.
3.
Now it
is high time to awake out of sleep. Romans 14.11.
4.
Therefore
let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 1
Thessalonians 5.6.
5.
Watch
ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or
at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he
find you sleeping. Mark 13.35-36
THE
COLLECT FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Almighty
God, whose Son, Jesus Christ, came in great humility to visit us; strengthen us
who live in this world of suffering: deliver us from the works of darkness,
clothe us in the armour of light, so that in the last day we may rise to the life
eternal when he returns as king to judge the living and the dead; who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
A
WAR PARTY CANOE SONG EXPLAINED
Ihaia
Hutana, Waipawa.
The
elders have left us explanations to write about. If they are wrong send your
comments to enlighten us. Hold on to them as valuable correctives in times of error.
It is better for you to
[861]
grasp
one another’s hands than to latch on to the glory of the mountains powdered
with snow, hanging in the sun, but lost to sight.
Tamarereti
Tamarereti
is a man. Tautoru [Orion’s Belt] is his canoe. They are stars lined up in the
sky. Beyond them is the heavens’ fish which is like a flounder. It is also like
our earthly fish. His dwelling-place can be seen always above the track of the
sun from its starting point to its setting. His name is given as The Fish of
the Heavens. If it lies horizontally it is called dawn, the Fish of the Heavens
is lying there.
The
Story of Tamatea and his Symbols.
Tamatea
was a man. His canoe was Takitimu. It was a sacred canoe and this meant that
there was no water or food on board. What were loaded on board were:
the
fascia of the sacred house;
the
psychic forces of God;
the
powers of the tohunga;
the
school of sacred lore;
the
sacred mound given as a sacrifice to God;
the
sacred adze to deal with the waters and to raise the winds;
the
sacred treasures;
the
red stone [?anchor];
the
sign;
the
charcoal for the face of Mataora [who brought tattooing from the underworld];
and
the scented oils for adornment.
Our
ancestors sailed here in eight canoes. This was a baptism in the living water, that
is, the sea, a symbol of their dedication to the heavenly bodies – to Kahukura
[the rainbow deity – who guided them by day] and to Te Ika-o-te-rangi [the
Milky Way – that guided them by night] to bring the prow of their canoe, in the
unity of faith, with trembling and awe to God.
They
were asleep on the sea, avoiding the waves of the world, the glow of the [?ko],
the tattered net and the lack of food.
Since
there was no food in this canoe, they were hungry. The tohunga performed their rites
and dedicated themselves to God. At sea they cast lots. The lot was arranged by
God to answer their prayer. They ate manna from heaven, and fish, and birds
which flew over the ocean. It was as if they were Israel eating the manna sent
down from God to Moses on earth.
When
they landed on this beautiful land, they spread abroad their sacred possessions,
the powers, the chants, the faith, arranged their songs and performed the
symbolic rites.
Comes
along the Gospel of Jesus Christ; it is joined to the sacred culture of your ancestors.
I had not comprehended the variety of your ancestors – their breadth and depth.
But then you look at the various Churches that came on the ships of later times
and don’t comprehend them. What you see is a lack of unity in the plunging of
the paddles and in the singing of their songs. What sustained your ancestors in
their uncertainty was the song which went:
1
O
Nose, lying in between!
Together, get together!
Not to the strong is the battle!
Get together! Overcome!
2
Stamp
the feet! Slap the hands!
Together, get together!
Snatch with your joints! Bend the knee!
Tremble! Tremble!
Family,
rise up. The dawn has broken through. Attach the sideboards to Takitimu. Bind
them on so that they shelter you as you stretch out to sea.
Your
captain is Aotearoa, the Maori Bishop. You father hopes to share in the mana
given to the faithful tohunga of the Migration.
Don’t
throw stones at each other lest you miss and hit God instead, and the faith
dies. This is the treasure spoken of by your forebears: ‘Hold to the faith as
your parent.’ A blessed word, a fruit of faith. Don’t trample on it lest it
turn on you and you are bitten.
Join
hands with each other. Put your arms around one another’s shoulders. Return
love to the Father, to the Mother.
[862]
VOTING
FOR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
The
Prime Minister has announced that the day for voting for members of Parliament
is to be Wednesday, 14th November. Nothing was said about the date
for voting for the Maori members.
THE
MAORI MEMBERS
Since
the Parliamentary term has ended, Te Toa Takitini looks back at the reports of
our Maori Members over the past three years.
People,
what harm has come to us from the work of our Members?
We
can’t answer this question because we’ve not been harmed by our Members.
So,
what benefits have come to the people through the activities of our Members?
If
we carefully listed the things done for our well-being there would not be space
in Te Toa Takitini for any other articles.
The
dispute over the Te Waipounamu lands has been settled..
A
quarter of a million pounds has been has
been given to settle the claims of Taranaki for the wrongful confiscations,
together with £5000 a year in perpetuity.
Compensation
for the wrongs done during the Waikato fighting has been set at £3000 a year in
perpetuity.
The
land confiscations in the Whakatohea area were investigated and it was agreed
that £300 a year would be paid in perpetuity.
But
we will leave it to our Members to explain to the people what they have done.
But Te Toa Takitini believes that some of the major benefits that have come to
the Maori People are the work of our four Members. These good things happened
because they worked together and through their own commitment to them and that
of the Prime Minster and the Government.
Therefore,
Sir Maui Pomare, Sir Apirana Ngata, Tau Henare, Hare Uru, and our elder in the
Upper House, Te Rikihana, we salute you all. Thoughtful people salute you for
your commitment and for the good things you have achieved through your work.
May God bless you. Te Toa Takitini hopes that you will not step down from your
positions. This would show the people’s love for you and their gratitude for
the blessings to the Maori People as a whole. Kia ora to you all.
[863]
TAME
HALBERT
(Much
of this, particularly the first paragraph, is illegible.)
Much
sympathy was forthcoming to the family, the tribe and the friends of Tame Halbert
when his death was announced in Turanga. He had shown no signs of being unwell.
He had returned to his room after completing his work in his garden. He was
found by one of his children, sleeping the sleep from which he could not be
woken.
Tame
was one of the original members of the Te Aute Students’ Association. And he
was one of the first Maori children to grasp the fruits of Pakeha learning. As
he developed he was embraced by Maori and Pakeha. As a man he enjoyed and held
to the teachings of the Missionary
Church [Church of England], to the principles of the Te Aute Association, and
supported the schools and our Maori paper over the past 30 years – Te
Pipiwharauroa, Te Kopara, and Te Toa Takitini.
Tame
was someone who supported the Church’s work. Wherever a hui was held, whether
to advance the work or the objectives of the Church, Tame was present to give
it his blessing. Although he was Maori, Tame was for some years chosen by the
Pakeha of the Parish of Waerenga-a-hika as their Churchwarden.
Farewell,
faithful and much loved friend. Go to the place where we find rest from our
labours. Go to your people. Go to the Lord. May your good works and noble ideas
be an honoured treasure spread over your children. We have heard the word of
the Lord: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your
Lord.’ [Matthew 25.23]
[864]
THOUGHTS
OF A LOVING HEART
These
are loving thoughts to the descendants of those who have passed on. You must be
aware that a separate Bishop has been
appointed for the Maori people of the Church of England.
This
is the Church that [wawae] the club over our ancestors. We, their
descendants are here now, and we have taken over the land and the property, for
our benefit.
What
do we gain from abandoning the final spiritual exhortations of [the next
four lines are mostly illegible].
Therefore,
family, grandchildren and others, respect the [illegible] of our
ancestors. They have gone; we [?are here]. Therefore, hold on to the treasure
handed down to us by our parents, [?pokepookea] it well at this time, as
a treasure to pass down to our descendants after us.
May
the Heavenly Father enlighten and bless us.
H
Keremeneta
A
JOYFUL GREETING
H
Keremeneta
Please
convey our appreciation to Sir Apirana Ngata for his commitment and wisdom
which has brought to a successful conclusion the matter of our Maori Bishopric.
As I see it, the clarity of his speech to the General Synod, delivered in the
twenty minutes allotted to him, achieved what we wanted – a Bishop of our own.
Hence the great and heartfelt happiness that we feel towards our elder, Sir
Apirana Ngata. Our best wishes to him.
A
SALUTATION FROM WHANGANUI
H
Keremeneta
We
are overjoyed that our Maori Bishopric has been settled by the careful choice
of all the New Zealand Bishops. It is settled, it has been agreed, and we could
not have hoped for different outcome.
God
guide our Bishop. Amen.
[865]
AN
EXAMPLE FOR THE MAORI PEOPLE
R[eweti]
T K[ohere]
(Continued
from the September issue.)
Scots
like this are always noble. We must not think that the Scot does not know love
and kindness. Scots are some of the most loving people I have met in this
world. Andrew Carnegie was a Scot who distributed his wealth to all parts of
the world for the advancement of the peoples. To show love and to help peoples
is a wonderful thing. This is one very good Maori practice, but in these days
of Pakeha ways [illegible ……………….] what is valued is being wary of love.
Timi Kara said that one thing that afflicts Maori is too much faith.
The
Scots are famous people [illegible ………………..] The Scot does not despise
work. If he gets work he puts his heart into it [illegible …….] even
though it pays little. Over many years he has proved himself a noble person.
Scots have attained high positions. Our Governor is a Scot, as is General
Haigh, and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the heads of the Church of
England, are Scots. The wife of the Duke of York who recently left [?pakapaka]
New Zealand, is of Scottish descent.
The
life of the Maori depends on work and the dripping of sweat. There is no other
way [illegible] but the shedding of the sweat of your brow, if you are
going to get food. I have never seen a lazy person who is upright. The Apostle
Paul wrote words that Maori should take to heart – if a man will not work he shall
not eat.
The
Scots are the best educated people in the world. Their education system is
always being examined. Their schools and all their universities are open to all
– to the children of nobility and the children of the poor. Although she may be
only a washer-woman her great desire is for her child to go to college. The New
Zealander who is famous throughout the world for his learning in these days is
Sir Ernest Rutherford who is of Scottish heritage.
The
Scots are devoted to their religion and they are said to be the most religious
people in the world. Their Church is called the Presbyterian Church. The elders
maintain the worship of this people. They and their worship have suffered at
the hands of the Government. They honour the Bible and teach it to their
children. Their clergy are educated and strong and nurture their people, and
unlike some Churches they do not starve their ministers. The reason why the
Scots are so strong and stout-hearted is their faith.
The
Scots are a humble people. Their main food is porridge, that is, oatmeal with
herring for relish. As a people they are not particularly concerned about
clothing or with adorning their persons..
They
are brave fighters. One of the regiments, famous for their bravery, is the
Black Watch. They wear kilts, and so their enemies say that they are not men
but’devils in skirts!.
This
is what the Scots are like and why I say that they provide a good example for
Maori. There is no example like them.
I
close this article with the words of Robert Burns in praise of his country
which he calls Scotia, that is ‘Scotland.’
O Scotia my dear, my native soil!
For whom my warmest wish to Heaven is sent,
Long may thy hardy sons of rustic toil
Be blest with health, and peace, and sweet content;
And O! may Heaven their simple lives prevent
From luxury’s contagion, weak and vile!
Then, howe’er crowns and coronets be rent,
A virtuous populace may rise the while,
And stand a wall of fire around their
much-lov’d isle
Burns
- The Cotter’s Saturday Night
Burns’ prayer for his people is my prayer
for the Maori People.
