MAORI WELCOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 186, 7 August 1936, Page 8

MAORI WELCOME.

LEAGUE TOURISTS.

HAKAS AT NGARUAWAHIA.

goodwxli, to englishmen,

On the way from Hamilton to Huntly yesterday afternoon the English League team were entertained at the Maori p a }, at Ngaruawahia by Princess Te Puea and her tribe. After the Maoris had expressed the usual ceremonial grief for the death of King George and joy at the accession of King Edward, the touring ceam were received in truly Maori fashion by hakas of welcome. Then Rev. M. Keepa, i n a striking address, Vvelcomcd the team"giving them a message from the Maori King Koroki. The speaker referred to the pleasure at meeting the English League team. The Maoris as a race, he said, were sports and desired to be treated as such. The Maoris played both codes, but the League people were more especially their friends "The last meeting with the Springboks' caused much bad feeling; they—the Springbok's—did not like the Maori because of his colour. We would welcome all classes and creeds, but we cannot welcome these Africans for what they did and said," continued Mr. Keepa. "It was therefore, with great pleasure we saw in the papers that you were prepared to plav a Maori team. We welcome that spirit We will play you if you have time—you must make time. We will give .von a great game, so that is the reason we are so "lad to welcome you at this pa to-day. °W e are going to Huntly to see you play, and will express our love for you ag you an on the field." The Maoris then gave the famous "Ka Mate" haka, to the great delight of the visitors, _ whose cameras were working rapidly in order to catch the facial expressions during the haka.

Messrs. R. F. Anderton and J. Brough briefly replied, and said they would see what could be done about a game with a Maori team