Magyar Egyház, 1955 (34. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
1955-07-01 / 7. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 11 ENGLISH SECTION HUNGARIAN EMIGRANTS IN NEW ZEALAND . . . Dr. George A. Knight. There are fewer than a thousand Hungarians living in New Zealand. This may seem a small number. But in proportion to New Zealand’s total population of two millions, this number must compare quite favourably with the number of Hungarians to be found in the U.S.A. The great majority of this 1000 have arrived since 1945, though a number of Hungarian Jews reached here before the War. New Zealand has four cities, small indeed by American standards. Thus Auckland, the biggest, has a population of some 350,000. Most of the Hungarians have gravitated to Auckland and Wellington, the two main centers of the North Island. But again, whereever I travel in the country districts, I meet Hungarians on farms or working as mechanics in small garages or such like. New Zealand is a very democratic country, more so even than the U.S.A. This is because with its small population ‘pressure groups’, labour bosses’, and ‘cartels’ have not developed. Now, it is just here that quite a number of Hungarians have failed to learn the spirit of the country. They brought to New Zealand the classdistinctions of the Old World which are non-existent in this little British Dominion. Thus the Hungarian colonies in our cities are riddled with snobbishness and cliques. One of the commonest things said to me by one Hungarian of another is “Oh, I dont speak to him”. I have conducted Reformed Church services in Hungarian in different centres of New Zealand to which numbers of those I expected to attend did not come, because, as they said: “The common ones will be there.” When an educated or a richer Hungarian attends worship in New Zealand, then you can be sure that the grace of God has certainly been working in his heart. Then again, the Hungarian settlers seem to have gone to two extremes. There are (1) those who have assimilated well and who speak English excellently; and there are (2) those who simply cannot master English and who will never feel happy in this strange land. Dont they say that the Alföldi is a bad linguist? I know quite a number of Hungarians from the villages of the Great Plain who will never really be at home in New Zealand. They can scarcely read Hungarian in the first place, so they cannot use a dictionary to help them to learn this terribly un-phonetic English language! One person in four in New Zealand is a Presbyterian. Thus every village and corner of the land has a Presbyterian Church. Reformed or Lutheran Hungarians can therefore find a spiritual home almost anywhere they wish. And many do. I have met Hungarians who are either deacons or elders in village or city churches, contributing greatly to the life of this young country with the wisdom and experience they had gained as members of the historic Magyar Református Egyház. The Rev. Dr. George A. Knight was working in the Scottish Mission Budapest Hungary before the Second World War. At the present time he is Professor in the Theological Seminary of New Zealand. Dr. Knight is a life-long friend of the Hungarian people. His fine book on The History of the Hungarian Reformed Church will be published soon. (Editor)-----------o----------MAGYAR NAP This article which is about Magyar Nap (Hungarian Day) probably will reach the Western Pennsylvania area too late for their annual celebration on June 30th. But I hope their interest in reading this will not wane. You will note that I will refer to Hungarian Day as Magyar Nap throughout my article being that it sounds so much more melodious and gives out much more feeling. We, Americans of Magyar ancestry appreciate this special day just as much as the people that were born in Hungary and who are now proud citizens of this great nation. As a small boy going to Summer Hungarian school I for one certainly enjoyed listening to the stories and history of Hungary. Growing older made me realize what a vivid and colorful history Hungary had. Then, because of political affliction and others reasons too numerous to mention, the people began to migrate to America. Although some of these people came with the intention of going back home, few did, for here they found something that was not in Hungary or for that matter, in any other country in the world. Here they found peace of mind and a right to do as they pleased without being persecuted. After awhile they began to think of their home and decided to bring back memories by celebration (Magyar Nap). The first celebrations were much more festive than they are today. We still have the colorful costumes and banners and chose queens representing each city. The celebration is held in Kennywood Park. Naturally we must not forget the incomparible Hungarian foods,, which are also prepared for the great celebration. Perhaps we younger Hungarians cannot express ourselves to the older Hungarians as we would like to, but I am sure they can understand the proudness we all share. Being born in America, my allegiance is to my country, but I can asure you I shall always be proud of my Magyar parentage. WILLIAM G. JARDANHAZY.--------------0-------------God is as great in minuteness as He is in magnitude. * * * Inspiration in presentation is perspiration in preparation.
