Te Kopara 46
[3] Te Kopara, Number 46, Gisborne, 31 August, 1917.
‘Iti te Kopara, kai takirikiri ana i runga i te Kahikatea.’
Although the Bellbird is small, he plucks at the Kahikatea. [cf Nga Pepeha 908]
THE BIBLE.
On very dark nights a light is a great asset to make clear where one is treading. In these days when the whole world is overshadowed by darkness there is the light of God which he has freely given us to show his children where they should walk. As David said, ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet.’ [Psalm 119.105] Perhaps this is one of the reasons for this war – the Creator is recalling the thoughts of his children to seek the deep meaning of his words. During this war six million (6,000,000) Bibles or some parts of the Bible have been printed and given to those who are fighting.
Some of the Bibles have gone to the Allies, to us, and some to the enemies. The number of languages in which the Word of God is printed is five hundred (500). But the languages in which the Bible has been printed for the combatants is fifty (50). This reveals to us the number of peoples involved in this war. Our Maori Bible has been printed by that body, the British and Foreign Bible Society. This is an old society. Its objectives were set out in 1804. The organising committee is in London. There are 36 people on that committee but they manage 1,500 workers in all parts of the world amongst the five hundred peoples. The Chinese are one people who are keen to have the Bible and, indeed, two million copies of the the Bible have been sold to them in the past year.
Te Kopara has a question for the Maori People. What do you think of the Word of God? Perhaps you have become indifferent to it. When things are very dark it is good to have a light to lead a person to go on the right path. These are days of darkness. Where can you find a light? People, turn back to the Word of God. There we find blessings and light in these days when the world is covered with with a dark cloud.
In the next edition of Te Kopara he will explain some of the ways that have become clear to him. Greetings to you all.
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LETTERS SENT TO US.
The Conscription Law [The Broom Law].
To the Editor of Te Kopara.
My friend, greetings. Please load these few words onto the wings of our bird who sings so well. He will carry them to the gatherings and the many marae of our Maori People living in Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu. Furthermore let him sing clearly in this fashion:
To the tribes, to the languages, to the chieftainships, to the powers, to the nobles, to the intelligent, to the wise - fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, the people – greetings. Greetings in the heat of battle, in the roar of the guns sounding in Europe. We salute our young men who have died, who have shed their blood throughout the land. How are we to greet you? How are we to lament for you? How are we to nurture you? This thing ends in darkness. Perhaps only this makes sense – that you fell in the Wao-nui-a-Tane, Tane-nui-a-Tane, Rangahau-a-Tane. No matter, the parents of the young who have fallen in battle need our pity. It is as if they are like Rachel weeping for her children and finding no comfort because they are no more. [Matthew 2.18] They are indeed like David who said, ‘My tears have been my food day and night, while people said to me continually, “Where is your God.” These things I remember as I pour out my soul.’ [Psalm 42.3-4] But in all this heart-wrenching sadness the Psalmist says, ‘Hope in God, for I shall again praise him.’ [Psalm 42.5] Enough of my greetings. To add to this problem facing the Maori People, listen to the voice of Allen calling out as he goes, ‘Sweep! Sweep! Sweep the Maori from the face of the earth!’ ‘Woe is me, that I am an alien in Aotearoa, that I must live among the tents of New Zealand.’ [cf Psalm 120.5] I don’t mind if you are cold or hot. Why should I be taken by the broom and made to live in the heat of battle? People, is it indeed right that we should be brought under this law? The saying is true, ‘The children of Ephraim are people who carry clubs, people who lift up the bow.’ But since we have committed ourselves to the war, I do not believe it is right to have conscription, but time will tell. And what of those nations that have not yet entered the war? This is a question for each person who reads these words. But who is it who asks this question? Not me, not you. ‘What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?’ [Psalm 8.5] Indeed, this is the firm custom of our forbears who have departed to the afterlife. They were people with their own
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mana, their own customs, their own ways of doing things. Therefore do not disregard the trampling of my heel on anyone’s home base. We have our own meeting houses in which to conclude these matters amongst ourselves, the Maori People. Let me add that the Maori are a noble people, people wondered at by the Pakeha for their ability to fight. We are people skilled at fighting, brave and resolute in battle. It is not right that we should be brought in by the Broom. People, as I see it this is something that demeans us Maori, and the bravery, the mana of your ancestors who have departed this life. They had a saying:
‘te iwi e … Takapau – Takapau’
[?]O People, Revenge, Revenge!
Where are the speeches delivered while the sun was shining? Now then, let all of us gird ourselves, be men, be strong. When this broom arrives at the doors of any of you, be away on the deep waters of the Pacific, blown by the wind, driven along.
H Karaka.
Thames,
July 16, 1917.
To the Editor of Te Kopara.
Here is food for you to strengthen you to fly, bringing news of the conflict which has set alight the base of the tree and has now reached the branches of the tree which provide food for the fire which is eating up our young men, swallowing them into the belly of the land, and their ancestors had no idea that their bodies would be buried in that place. This is a very pitiful thing for us. It is a testimony to their great love that they took themselves off to the other side of the world to die for their friends. We salute the parents and the mothers of those who have been lost on the other side of the world. Greetings to you elders, men and women, who dwell in the house of mourning of your ancestor Apakura. Enough, our best wishes to you. May the Lord ease your grief. Dwell in the canoe of Manawanui [Patience, Fortitude]. Enough. Best wishes, Te Kopara, as you carry news to the remnant in this country.
Hutu Paaka,
Motueka,
August 7, 1917
To the Editor of Te Kopara.
Greetings to you and the Management Committee. God will help those engaged in good works. Please load these words onto the bird. The people and I take issue with an article that appeared in Te Kopara, Number 44, Page 11. That article said:
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‘The Committee of the Church of Te Araroa is promoting a drive to pay off the debt on their new church through the generosity of their friends. They considered having a hui but decided instead to ask for donations by letter. Best wishes to the Committee of Te Araroa in this new venture. It is right that we should be helped by friends from each parish in our diocese. Our friends, Reweti and Dr Wirepa, let Te Kopara know about our proposal and what you want.’
My objection and that of the people is that neither the people nor the church committee are doing what Te Kopara said. This is what the people said, so that you know. Notice was given about this building at the large hui held at Wai-o-matatini where all the tribes of the country were listening. I announced that nothing will be done until 1918 in accordance with the plans of our elders who have passed on. Goodbye.
Wi Houkamau, and the People.
Te Araroa,
9 July, 1917.
THE POPE AND HIS PEACE PROPOSALS.
Something that is being discussed at the moment by the whole world is the letter from the Pope of Rome to all the nations involved in the war calling for a peace settlement. It is said in that letter, and this is the Pope’s statement: ‘From the beginning of the war and during the three years it has been carried on I have not ceased to ask the peoples and the governments to bring an end to this war and for all the nations to live in peace.’ So the purpose of this letter is to bid the nations at war to make peace. The Pope’s idea is very good. He is a holy man of God, the successor of Saint Peter. And peacemaking is one of the important things spoken of in Scripture. ‘My peace I give to you.’ ‘He is our peace.’ But if we give it careful consideration we find ourselves asking whether this is the desire of the Pope alone or of others. This discussion is taking place in all the world’s leading newspapers. It is thought that it is not only the Pope who is expressing this wish but also Germany. The Pope is like the loudspeaker [chimney] on a gramophone. Germany is holding and turning the record on the machine and the Pope is the loudspeaker delivering those messages to all the nations, ‘Make peace.’ The message of the machine is pleasing to the ears of people, particularly the Russians who are reluctant fighters now. These are the messages on the machine; all the lands of Russia will be taken by Germany and all other things will be returned to Russia. This German message is very good.
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But if we look carefully now we see that the large area from Hamburg as far as the Persian Gulf has been taken under German control. Therefore if peace is made now Germany will be doubled in size from what it was at the beginning of the war. And so we can see why Germany is playing on its gramophone. ‘Make peace.’
But the English and French and America as well have a different plan which is to trample Germany under their feet and then make peace. And the reasons why these nations are united in this intention are known – the boasting of Germany, its murderous actions, and the wicked things it has done to various nations.
MORE ITEMS.
The Bishop of Waiapu will visit Takapau on 9th September. The people who have been prepared for Confirmation in the Parish of Waipawa will gather there. On 16th people will gather for the Confirmations in the Parishes of Moteo and Te Waipatu.
Peneti, the minister, has been given, by the people of the Maori Parishes of Hastings, a car to make it easier for him to travel around the many parishes in that district. It cost £250. Te Kopara is full of praise for this show of concern on the part of Maori for one of their ministers, and hopes that some other parishes will have similar concerns for their ministers. More than ten Pakeha parishes have provided a car for their ministers to make their work easier. It was not left for the Church to provide the money but it was provided by the congregations in each place.
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The Porangahau Committee held its hui on 30th July. It was reported that the
£150 designated as a gift for the soldiers had been reached; the remaining £75 has been banked. The total was £225. Well done, Porangahau! At that hui money was collected to buy a motorbike for their minister, Waewae Ratapahi. A total of £35 was contributed. The bike for their minister has been obtained. May Porangahau’s fortunes increase. The last object was to allocate amounts to be found by each area to add to the Bishop’s money to build a house for their minister at Waipawa. Their own contribution was £15. Remnant of Porangahau, may your fortunes increase greatly.
The Bishop has announced that the main Synod of the Diocese of Waiapu will be held at Napier on 21st September.
On 23rd December a service for the Ordination of Clergy of this Diocese of Waiapu will be held in Napier. At that service Matene Keepa will be ordained Priest and Nepia Hotene and Waata Kopae as Deacons. Let the Church in every place remember to pray for these servants of the Church that they may be blessed with the wonderful fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The Editor apologises for the omission of the articles he and his colleagues had prepared for the July edition of Te Kopara. The Editor will visit Gisborne this month to arrange matters so that there will be no similar problems in the future. It was not the printer who was at fault but the people who were to contribute articles.
A rumour has spread rapidly that the Rev H Wepiha Te Wainohu is returning from France to New Zealand. When A T Ngata came to Hastings he was asked about this matter. He did not think that Wepiha was returning. That statement concerned one of the Pakeha clergy, Archdeacon Hawkins, who has returned. The Rev Parata is taking his place. There is no word from the Government that Wepiha is returning.
On 28th August the Minister for War told Parliament that he had instructed the Commanding Officer to bring home the First Maori Contingent so that they can rest for a time.
The Government has asked all the people of the Dominion to observe Sunday, 7th October, as a day of prayer asking for God’s blessing on us in these days of war. Te Kopara asks the Maori People to involve themselves body and soul in the gatherings for worship on that day.
The Government is setting up a way of raising money to carry out that part of the fighting that affects us. The total amount is £12,000,000, that is, £12 per head from every person, elders, women, children. This money will be raised if each person takes an equal share. Do make every effort to acquire shares in this fund to help the Government. The interest is 5%.
The Italian response to the Pope’s peace initiative was, by 20th August, to have captured 10,034 Austrian prisoners including 243 officers. They have also taken some forts. It is said that 30,000 Austrians have been killed by the Italians alone.
The number of German prisoners taken by the English
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since 9th April is 36,155, and by the French 43,722, and by Italy 40,681. Russia has captured 37,221 most of whom are Austrians.
WHEN WILL THIS WAR END?
By Matene Keepa.
We are hearing now a voice spreading abroad the message that we should end this war and make peace.
The Pope of Rome is strongly urging people to make peace because thousands are being killed as this war goes on. This is a summary of the Pope’s peace proposals that he had presented to the Italian Government and the neutral countries.
Arrange to reduce the number of weapons of war [simultaneously].
Open the seas to all.
[? Bring to fruition, when this war is over, the idea of an authoritative body to deal with important world affairs.]
Establish an authoritative body (SCA) to arbitrate on later disputes.
Lands should not be returned in settlement of costs, and only those lands taken by Germany in Belgium, France and Serbia should be returned, along with some parts of Austria to be determined by the people.
Germany’s colonies should be returned to it.
Germany and Austria and the neutral countries fully accept this peace settlement.
It is obvious why the Allies do not agree with this peace proposal. America says that it is for the Allies together to set the terms. Similarly Russia does not like it. And the Italians participate in it while they are still attacking the Austrians. The cause of the English rejection is summarized in one of their newspapers (Daily Mail): ‘The hand is the Pope’s, the voice is the Kaiser’s.’
ODDS AND ENDS.
Two members of the Maori Contingent were chosen to receive tokens of honour – French medals – for their bravery. They are Pua Tamihana of Te Wairoa and Toi Karimi of Uawa.
When the Chinese entered the war they seized the ships of Austria-Germany in their ports and imprisoned the crews on board. Many Chinese Generals and soldiers have been offered by them to go to fight in Europe.
On 18th of this month a Greek town, Thessalonika, was burned. Now 100,000 people have no homes to live in; of this number 40,000 are Jews.
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WAR NEWS
By M[atene] K[eepa].
The English.
There is very fierce fighting going on at present. On the English side the latest news is that they are fighting strongly and on the front line the Germans have been constructing defences so that they will not be taken; that is in the district of Lens and surrounding areas. The English boys are fighting strongly against the Germans. The Canadian division, have been pushed by the Germans according to the newspapers , but the Canadian bulldogs are holding on with their teeth and have not been evicted. This fortification has proved to be a trap for Germany. In the third week of this month 1,378 prisoners were taken, 12 aircraft were destroyed and 5 escaped, and two English aircraft were lost.
The French.
As for the French they are still fighting strongly in the area of Verdun. From the start of the war Germany dreamed that this would be the easy way for it to advance on the capital city of France, Paris. When the voice of the Pope of Rome was heard tempting people to make a peace settlement and end the war, then the French intensified their fighting. So in the three days from 20th to 25th of this month 7,640 German prisoners were taken, 600 Germans were wounded, nine large guns and 200 machine guns were captured along with various other kinds of guns.
The Italians.
The Italians as it were are blocking their ears to the Pope’s call to make peace. Indeed they have intensified their efforts to take the Austrian coastal town of Trieste, and that is where the fighting is at the moment. The latest news these days is that 16,000 prisoners, including 350 officers, have been taken and soon the Italians will have taken many more prisoners.
Russia.
We all know that the Russian side is shrouded in darkness as a result of the treachery of Germany. Its situation is not as it was before. But the latest news has it that the Japanese will go to the aid of Russia. This will improve the Russian situation.
[We have been informed that it is not true that Japan is going to help Russia, - M.K.]
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THE ROLL OF HONOUR.
By Matene Keepa.
Killed in Action: Privates P Hina, J Ruha, T H Tena, W Kopua, H Rangi, P Kihi, W Harding, D Padlie, Lieutenant P Kaa, Lance-corporals J J Morgan, T Taurere, Lieutenant A T Kaipara. Privates V Ruru, Hemi Newton, J Tekauru, Ponga Winiana, Sergeant Richard Hale.
Wounded: Privates W M Aporo, P Parariki, Whakarongotai Ratete, Poururu Tamati, T Tehuatahi, K Morrell, H Kanara, T Brass, R Cook, H Horomona, K Mackey, R Mika, W Morris, S Ngapo, G Papara, T Pohitu, W Rei, P Retimana, T Rikiti, K T Runga, W Taylor, R Teohaere, M Tupurei, E Thomson, D Weneti, R J Joseph, R Wilson, F Walter. Corporals P Tameka, H Toitoi. Lance-corporals M Ryland, R Mateparae. Sergeant C Honeycombe. Privates H Kelly, Kingi Pohutu, Apirana Manuera, Pere Rini, R Trotter, Horo Moko, James Danger. Corporal Mita Pohatu.
Died of Wounds: V Tetuhi.
Seriously Wounded: Hemi Paku.
Returned Home: Privates Nehe Paeroa, Tuparoa; Piripi Waara, Te Araroa. {These went straight to Cambridge Hospital.] Private Te Riri, Muriwai, Gisborne.
FOOD FOR TE KOPARA.
July – Rev H T Rawnsey, 5/-; M V Bell, 5/-.
August – Ho Paihana 5/-, Takuta Turangi, 5/-, Hutu Paaka, 5/-, Hoani Kopu, 5/-, Renata Taiepa, 5/-, Timi Putahi, 5/-, Taranaki Te Ua, 5/-. Te Wano Taungakore, 5/-, H Hamlin, 5/-, Nikora Whenakura, 5/-, Hapimana Takimoana, £1, Canon Gould, 5/-.
◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊
Rev W Tureia Puha of Uawa and Rev Tamati Te Kanapu of Te Rau College have passed the Pakeha examinations for the position of a minister, the Licentiate in Theology (L Th).
One of the students at Te Rau College who has almost completed his course, Reretima Kerei, has felt the calling of his friends who are falling on the marae of battle. He is now at the Military Camp at Auckland and will soon go overseas. There are many young men in a position to go before those go who are engaged in spiritual warfare.
New information from the Italian offensive is that during four days 65,000 Austrian soldiers have been wounded and are unable to fight and most of their guns have been captured in the Selo area. It is said that this is the fiercest fighting on the part of the Italians since they began.
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RULES OF THE PAPER.
1. Te Kopara is published monthly.
2. The subscription for the paper is five shillings (5/-) a year paid by postal note or stamps.
3. Anyone wishing to take Te Kopara should send the money with the covering letter to
Te Kopara,
Te Rau Press,
Gisborne.
4. All items you want printed in Te Kopara should be sent to the Editor,
Rev F A Bennett,
Kohupatiki,
Clive, Hawkes Bay.
A NOTICE
To those wanting a Prayer Book or Hymn Book. I now have plenty of books. The prices are:
Large, soft cover 2/6
Large, red cover 3/-
Large, hard cover 4/-
Large, superior cover 5/6
Small, soft cover 1/-
Small, red cover 1/6
Small, hard cover 2/6
Small, superior cover 3/6
Prayer Book with Hymns, soft cover 1/6
Prayer Book with Hymns, red cover 1/-
Prayer Book with Hymns, hard cover 3/-
Prayer Book with Hymns, superior cover 4/-
Prayer Book, New Testament and Hymns, red cover, 3/6
Prayer Book, New Testament and Hymns, superior cover, 5/6
Hymns 6d
Words for the Prayerful Heart 3d
I will pay the postage to send the books to you
H W Williams,
Naurea Private Bag, Gisborne
People wanting a Bible or a New Testament should apply to the Bible Depository Sunday School Union, Auckland.
Bible, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6. Enclose a postage stamp for 1/-.
New Testament with explanatory headings. 2/6, 3/-, 4/6. Enclose a postage stamp for 3d.
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