MAORIS AND THE KING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 133, 5 June 1914, Page 5

MAORIS AND THE KING.

A COBDIAL WELCOME.

i Received 10.50 a—l.jf

LONDON, June i. His Majesty the King received the visiting Maori chiefs in audience to-day. T_e C Maoris donned their native costume cm reaching Buc-ingham Palace. The King cordially welcomed a»m. and recalled bis visit to New Zealand.

The Maori delegation now in England left iv April «** * 7*2^ Waahi, when it was decided that t_e leader- ehould proceed to England and lav the grievances of the race before the British authorities. The movement was initiated by Tnpu Ta-gakawa, adviser to the young Maori King, i« Rata, but the majority of the delegates were strongly opposed to it- Supported by the Hon. Dr. Pomare and Mr. Henare Kaftan, they contend that, before representations were made to the Bnt_h authorities, every pofi-ble means at hand of remedyintr grievances should be e-diausted. They held, also, that if an embassy were to go forward, it should be fully representative of the native races which would be united under Te Rata.' The following of Tupu, on the other hand, were impatient of delay, and declared that an immediate appti--ation to the highest authorities in the Emprre was the only way to finality, espe_a-v as. they alleged. New Zealand Govermnents for decades past had made no effort to bring about the remedies desired. The chief amis of the Maori visitors to England were to be the restoration of the lands coni— eated as the result of tlie Maori wans, and the conservation of fishing and forest rights, in accordance with the spirit and letter of the Treaty of Wait—ngi. Notwithstanding the vigorous nature of the opposition. Tupu determine- that the visit to England should take place, and berths were booked in the Niagara, saflin« on April 11 Tii. for a party of tour, .romprising Te Rata 'the "King"). Tupu Taiuga-awa i"K.ingV" adviser 1. Paul iinterpreter!, and Met* Kara-*. Th_ !_—.__-—: ia to rot_r_ ia __ moat—*