ROYAL VISIT

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25549, 17 July 1948, Page 6

ROYAL VISIT

MAORIS’ DESIRE TO OBSERVE CUSTOM SPECIAL APPEAL FOR FOOD (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, July 16. It was a Maori custom that when a visitor came to morac, he should not only be feasted, but also given sufficient food to last him the journey to his home, said Mr E. T. Tirikatene, Native member of the Executive Council. in the House of Representatives to-day. The application of this traditional custom would not be possible on the Royal tour because visits to marae would bo limited, and also the time spent there. However. Mr Tirikatene said, it was proposed that- an appeal be made to the Maori people—and he was sure the pakehas would join in—to raise funds to enable a large quantity of food to be dispatched to the United Kingdom, coincident with the return of Their Majesties. The food could be distributed in England to the people there, who had been the bulwark and bastion of freedom, and at the same time, though not directly, the Maori custom would have been observed. The Maori people felt there should be a greater grant of privilege or opportunity for welcoming the Royal visitors next year, but they would have to join with their pakeha friends and accept what was meted cut as fair. Mr Tirikatene said. It was appreciated that the disposition of the tour was governed to some extent by the wishes of the King’s advisers. It is understood that the appeal will have as its initial aim the raising of £25,000 worth of food.