Arohanui: Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand Part 15

_...The purchase of the Haziratu'l-Quds in Auckland, as the future headquarters of the New Zealand National Spiritual a.s.sembly, is another accomplishment that merits the highest praise...._

_...The establishment of Baha'i endowments in the Dominion of New Zealand is yet another responsibility devolving upon their elected national representatives, a responsibility which should be discharged prior to the emergence of an independent national a.s.sembly in that distant and promising island._

_Whilst these immediate goals are being steadily and resolutely pursued, attention should, likewise, be particularly directed to the vital need for the constant multiplication of isolated centres, groups and local a.s.semblies, as well as to the necessity of increasing, to an unprecedented degree, the number of the avowed adherents of the Faith who can directly and effectively contribute to the broadening of its foundations and the expansion of its nascent inst.i.tutions. Particularly in the Dominion of New Zealand, where a pillar of the future Universal House of Justice will soon be erected, must a fresh impetus be lent to this vital process which can alone reinforce the foundations on which this projected inst.i.tution must ultimately rest...._

(Extract, ibid., pp. 123, 125, 126, 127)

(62) June 13th, 1956

Secretary, National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand.

Dear Baha'i Brother:

...As regards the question the Auckland a.s.sembly has asked about vivisection, there is nothing on this subject in the Baha'i teachings. At a future date such matters will no doubt be taken up by the International House of Justice....

He is delighted to hear that the New Zealand friends are so eagerly carrying on their work in preparation for their National a.s.sembly next year. Their coming of age, so to speak, will be a source of pride to all their fellow National a.s.semblies, and they will form a welcome addition to the pillars which must ultimately sustain the International House of Justice....

[From the Guardian:]

_Dear and valued co-workers:_

_...Particular attention should be devoted to the urgent needs of the New Zealand Baha'i community, through the formulation of a plan which will enable it to swell the number of its administrative inst.i.tutions, enlarging and reinforcing thereby the foundations on which its forthcoming National a.s.sembly must ultimately rest...._

(Extract, ibid., pp. 130, 131, 133)

(63) September 5th, 1956

Secretary, Regional Teaching Committee for New Zealand.

Dear Baha'i Brother:

Your letter of August 3rd with enclosure has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was happy to see this report of the activities of the Baha'is in New Zealand, and will be pleased to receive a copy of your News Letter regularly.

The Guardian wishes your Committee and the believers there to know that he has high hopes for their future achievements in that far-off land, where they are now on the threshold of that historic event, the election of their own National Spiritual a.s.sembly. He deeply values their devotion, and the eager and fervent character of their services.

With warm Baha'i greetings, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

_a.s.suring you of my loving prayers for your success and spiritual advancement,_

_Your true brother, _ _ Shoghi_

(64) April 4th, 1957

Message from the Guardian at the inception of the New Zealand National Spiritual a.s.sembly.

I share with the a.s.sembled delegates, gathered to elect, on this historic occasion, the second National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of the Antipodes, the feelings of profound satisfaction and grat.i.tude to Baha'u'llah evoked by this epoch-making event in the evolution of His Faith in that far off region of the globe. I am deeply conscious of the decisive share which the Australian Baha'i Community, labouring during more than three decades, for the spread of the light of this glorious revelation among the highly progressive people of that distant continent, has had in the laying of the foundations of the Administrative Order and the erection of yet another pillar of the future Universal House of Justice in this remote Dominion.

The emergence of this independent Baha'i Community, no matter how limited its numerical strength and modest its resources, must be regarded as a highly significant development in the rise and establishment of the Baha'i Faith in the Pacific Area, and should synchronise with the formulation, on the part of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly now being elected in that Island, of a subsidiary Six-Year-Plan, designed to reinforce substantially the numerical strength of the Community; to multiply its Centres, as well as its Local Spiritual a.s.semblies; to incorporate the solidly grounded amongst them; to inaugurate a National Fund; to obtain recognition for both the Baha'i marriage certificate and the Baha'i Holy Days; to lend an unprecedented impetus to the conversion of the Maoris, and to ensure their active partic.i.p.ation in the conduct of Baha'i Administrative Inst.i.tutions; to extend the scope of the work already initiated in the South Island; to incorporate the newly formed National Spiritual a.s.sembly, and to select and acquire a site for the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of that Dominion.

I call upon the members of the Australian National Spiritual a.s.sembly, as well as the members of the Australian Baha'i Community, to continue to lend their valued support to this newly pledged sister Community, and to enable it, through the extension of material a.s.sistance as well as the dispatch of visiting teachers and pioneers, to contribute, in an ever increasing measure, to the furtherance of the magnificent and colossal campaign now being so vigorously conducted in the North, in the South, and in the heart of the Pacific Ocean.

May the outpourings of the Holy Spirit continue to energise this small yet resolute forward marching, dedicated community, and may the outcome of the collective efforts of its members contribute decisively to the triumphant consummation of the World Crusade on which the entire body of the followers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah have so confidently embarked.

Shoghi

(65) May 20th, 1957

Secretary, National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand.

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Our beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you on his behalf and inform you that the Hand of the Cause, Mr Varqa, will shortly be forwarding to your a.s.sembly the equivalent of five hundred English pounds, as the Guardian's contribution to your newly established National Fund.

He hopes that in the formulation of your plans, particular attention will be given to the all-important teaching work, the foundation of all the activities of the Faith and the most urgent task facing the friends in this critical period the world is pa.s.sing through.

You may be sure he will pray for your success, With Baha'i greetings, R.

Rabbani

(66) June 27th, 1957

Secretary, National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand.

Dear Baha'i Sister: