EMPIRE PRESS UNION

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 270, 20 August 1925, Page 9

EMPIRE PRESS UNION

DELEGATES AT ROTORUA WELCOMED BY ARAWAS Bi Telegraph—Press Association Rotorua, August 19. The Empire Press Union delegates visited Whakarewarewa this morning, and were received by the Arawas at the model pa with speeches of welcome, hakas, and poi dances. Sir F. Newnes and Mr. T. H. Woods (Canada) responded in appreciative terms, emphasising that descriptions of the wonders they had seen and the splendid evidence of the virility of the Maoris would be sent to the ends of the earth. There was great enthusiasm, and groups formed all round the pa, with cameras constantly going, and hundreds of photographs were taken. The Pohutu Gevser made a magnificent prolonged display, and the glorious sunshine turned the steam into sheets of silver. The visitors were delighted and freelv expressed their intense admiration of the scene. The party mingled with the Maori villagers and tasted the Maori cooking. Mita Taupopoki, resplendent in a feather mat and headdress, welcomed the visitors in a stirring and eloquent speech. He voiced the loyalty of the Arawas to King and country, and trusted that what they saw .that day would be told to the world.

Rehaii, a chief, followed by welcoming the chiefs of the Press who controlled the news of the world. Naira also voiced the same loval sentiments and pleasure in greeting so distinguished a gathering of pressmen, who spoke to the whole world. He trusted that their report would do justice to the Arawas. During the speeches frequent applause from the visitors testified their interest Sir Philip Newnes, in reply on behalf of the British Press, thanked the speakers for all the fine things they had said when welcoming them to their place. They had come 15,000 miles to visit them, and on the way saw the island where their Maori ancestors came from. In their travels they had seen nothing so interesting as that which they saw in Rotorua. The speaker thanked them for their magnificent ententamment at the King’s Theatre the night before. The Maori speakers at the reception of the American Fleet had said: “That they loved the Empire because it ruled with truth, justice, and honour.” He thanked them for that phrase. They had journeyed to Australia to consider questions of making that Empire yet more glorious and helpful. In 'writing to their papers thev would be able to say that they had met no people more loyal than the Arawas. Mr. Wood, of Canada, thanked the Arawas also. He came, he said, from a sister Dominion, and he thanked them for their music which was so full of melody, for the grace of their young women in the dance, their men for their manly. prowess, and all for their welcome. The speaker had heard that the Maori was hospitable to strangers, loval to the King, and to one another. These were qualities on which the Empire was built. (Applause.) The Maori race would always have then true affection, and through them the world would know what hospitable people thev were. On behalf of Canada and his colleagues he saluted them <md wished them well (Great demonstration of applause.) During the afternoon the delegates devoted their time to sport and sightseeing. Sir F. Newnes, Major and Lady Astor, Messrs. 11. Stules, E. Woodnead, and others were the guests of the Rotorua Golf Club, and played with club members. The tennis courts were also freelv availed of. Sir H. Beetham, Sir E. Eilifee, and Mr. John Bassett led the tennis division, the ladies of the partv also participating. The baths were visited and independent parties made excursions into the forest reserves and nurseries. All were deeply impressed witlh the national forestry movement, its development, nnd initial experiences. Sir George Fenwick states that the whole partv are deeply conscious of the magnificent opportunities the Dominion affords for settlement, and the 1 wonderful resources of the country. The Press delegation are a happy harmonious party, keenly receptive and sympathetic, and bring trained minds I to tbe observation of all things. The party will leave at 9 a.m. to--1 morrow for the Wairakei district.