Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-05-16
FROM NEW ZEALAND.
Report Of An Interesting Conference
In That Field.

Elder Charles Il. bartlett writes IN
part, from Napier Hawkes. Bay, New
Zealand, April IA;
At our annual conference last year a
delegation from Omahu Hawks Bay
Ga native village OF nOn-memD ers OF the
Church, extended an invitation TO the
Saints 10 hold our conference this year
In their village, In connection with an
other large gathering OF natives, to Gel.
citrate the opening Of large council
hall-a large building modelled after
ancient MORT architecture and called
"Kahukurunlup after one OF the Illus
trious ancestors of the Ngati-Kuhungu-
nu tribe.
The invitation was accepted and the
two events attracted gathering Of
over 1900 Maoris and few Europeans
from different parts Of New Zealand.
About one-ifth part Of the natives were
members OF the Church,
The gathering commenced March 70
and lasted until April 7, Hon James
Carroll and Capt. Russell, prominent
government officials. visited the gath
ering and made addresses. There were
also present q number " influential
Maoris among whom were Hon. Henare
Tomoana, NJ. II. r.. Hon Wi Pere, NJ.
u. r.; Tsmahau; Tunl A, Rangl and
others.
The days given over the the Latter
day Saints were April 3, 4 and s. The
opening session Of conference was held
In the new house "Kahukurunui." The
great number Of people In attendance
made Il very close and uncomfortable
however, IN this building and the re-
naming sessions were held In a large
tent. Unfayorable weather and the late
arrival OF several large companies OF
natives interfered with some Of the ses-
slons Of the conference. However. all
the meetings were well attended there
being 30 Elders and one Sister (WrlghD
from Zion present. as well as represent
tative Saints from nearly every con-
ference In the mission All the Elders
from the South Island were present
SUBJECTS DISCUSSED.
An address Of welcome and greeting
was delivered by Elder G. b. Bartlett.
The address Of the First Presidency OF
the Church 10 the Saints In New Zea-
land was read by Elder Albert 5. Fer
rim. This address, which has been pub
lished In the Maori language by Zion's
Maori association. was much appieci-
ated by the Saints Elder Wlrenau
Takana delivered an eloquent discourse
upon the establishment OF the Kingdom
OF God upon the earth In the last days.
Elder John W Gardner portrayed In an
interesting manner the necessity OF dis
continuing some Of the common vices
prevalent among this people Elder
Henare Pere drew some pointed illus
trations showing the difference between
the Latter-day Saints and other denom-
nations In their manner Of preaching
the Gospel. Elder II. S. Ferrin gave a
BRIEF account OF his labors among the
natives OF the South island He urged
the Saints 10 be patient under tribula-
ton and spoke polntedly upon the final
judgment Of an mankind. Elder An
drew Oldroyd compared tie Gospel
taught by the Latter-day Saints with
that taught by the ancient Apostles.
Elder Walter Roberts spoke upon the
divine authenticity OF the Book OF
Mormon Elder Rew Maaka proved
that the Maori people are Of the house
of Israel and showed from the Scrip
lures that the glorious promises made
to Israel can be realized through ODE
dience 10 the Gospel as Ii has been re-
vealed through the Prophet Joseph
smith Elder G. A. Alfred gave lllustra.
lions to prove individual responsible
ity In the work Of the Lord. that one
cannot work out salvation Tor another,
and urged the Saints TO develop both
moral and physical faculties BY keep
ing the commandments OF God Elder
TIE Hira kareroa discoursed In an inter.
estlng manner on baptism. Elder
George liislop showed necessity Of hav.
ing baptism performed by those holding
divine authority Elder Il G. Nlchol
gave an interesting account OF his
travels through the"king country"-part
OF the North island, where the people
are adherents Of a native church and
are under the leadership OF a Maori
chief known as King Mahuta. The
speaker also preached at some length
upon the necessity Of showing our faith
by our deeds Of righteousness Elder
Henare Hamana spoke OF the evidences
OF the divinity OF the great latter.day
work, and portrayed the fate Of those
who reject the Gospel. Elder p. p.
Walker urged the Saints not TO partake
OF the sins OF Babylon. but to become
a righteous people and thereby escape