"BE STEADFAST."

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 28, 3 February 1930, Page 3

"BE STEADFAST."

OLD SOLDIERS AT KAWHIAL

FLAG PRESENTED TO MAORIS*

PICTURESQUE CEREMONY.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

KAWHIA, this day,

The annual reunion of the surrounding branches of the R.S.A. was held in Kawhia on Saturday evening under the presidency of Mr. J. T. K. Dodds. The guest of honour was General Sir George Richardson.

The dominant note of General Richardsou's address to the "peace-makers and peace-lovers," as he called them, was service to their country as men who had won a larger and wider vision, and service to their association as the men best able to understand and help their brothers in arms. The speaker suggested that the lists of the names to be graven on the walls of the Auckland Memorial Museum should be gone over by all to see that none should be missed, especially those whose names wei-e in the British records and not available here.

Two impressive items were the toast of "Fallen Comrades," and the ceremony in which representatives of Te Kuiti, Otorohanga, Te Awamutu and Kawhia lit small lamps of remembrance, presented to the branches by General Richardson.

The customary toasts were given, and the speakers were Messrs. G. G. Jonathan (chairman of the Town Board), Craig, Vernon, Voice, McLennan, Schnackenberg, Morton, Hetet and Butler, Captains Alain and Oliphant, and SergeantMajor West.

The feature of Sunday's programme, which was carried out in delightful weather, was the presentation of a flag to the Maoris by General Richardson from the returned soldiers.

A Maori women's welcome was followed by an old-time Maori hangi with food cooked in the ancient way. The feast and presentation took place beside the historical pohutukawas, which were in bloom when the first Maoris arrived. The flag was the New Zealand Ensign with the words, "Kai Mau" (be steadfast), worked on it. These were the words of the dying King Tawhio to his people and the symbolism of the complete flag formed the subject of General Richardson's address and appeal for co-

operation.

Mrs. C. R. Morris was asked to take custody of the flag till it was handed over to Rata Mahuta for his people.

The General told the natives how the graves of their dead were being tended with loving care in Europe.

The Maori reply was made by Mr. Marae Edwards, who contrasted the oldtime enmity with the present fellowship of the Sabbath Day meeting.