THE EMDEN.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19666, 9 July 1929, Page 13

THE EMDEN.

THE MAORIS' ATTITUDE.

NO OFFICIAL WELCOME.

[THE TBESS Special Service]

AUCKLAND, July 8

Foilc-vxu;; the brief report alluding to the Maori attitude toward;, the Ein-

deu. many people have wondered as to the Native mind on this question. This wao explained to-day. The Te Akaranu, Maori Association, the representative organisation of the Maori population, felt that it was not fitting to take part in the reception of the tienuan warship, a~> several prominent chiefs had said, 'The blood is not yet dry,'' and the Native race suffered heavily by the Great War in maintaining 1000' men at the front. _ Throughout, their manhood suffered in proportion more heavily than the Europeans. The deep respect for the memory of the dead is part of Maori tradition, hence th« Maori peoplft of the north decided when asked to participate in the reception to support the Returned Soldiers' Association, and take no official part in the felicitations to the visitors. It is reported that after the Eruden arrived the Reception Committee persuaded a number of Natives to add to the Committee's entertainments by giving a Maori welcome and dance. This had no official recognition by the general body of the Maori people of the district. Maoris here also took no cognisance of what was done in Arawa (Rotorua) and of her districts in connexion with the Emden visitors.

"Maoris noticed by the cables that Germanv was holding i day of mourning, and was lighting bonfires on its boundaries," said an official representing the Maori people, "and they thought that while this sort of thing was being done in the Fatherland it was incongruous that we should be feting these people in this part of the world. The Maoris read the newspapers nowadays and form their own opinions about uublic and international affairs. They are, too, quite capable in so doing.''

VPBZSS ASSOCIATION TELEC-KAM.) WELLINGTON, July 8. The captain and officers of the Emden were entertained at a Government luncheon. Sir Joseph Ward presided and proposed the toast of the guests.