SIR MAUI POMARE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 207, 29 May 1936, Page 5

SIR MAUI POMARE

Notable Member of a Great Race

RT. HON. J. G. COATES’S TRIBUTE One of the most charming, untoward and picturesque incidents of the Maori entertainment given at the Wellington Town Hall on Wednesday evening was the welcome given to Lady Pomare, and the tribute paid to her late husband, Sir Maui Pomare, in whose memory and honour the gathering took place. On the resumption of the entertainment after the interval the full strength of the performing Maoris advanced rhythmically on to the platform and sang, with action, a chorus in honour of Lady Pomare, and as they sang joyously and with line abandon, a little Maori maiden, dressed in a kiwi mat, made her way to the gallery centre and presented Lady Pomare, on behalf of the women entertainers, with a lovely bouquet, a gift that was accompanied by the customary Maori salute. The graceful tribute brought a round of applause from the audience. Speaking from the stage the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates said that those round him were some of those who were helping to establish a memorial to a great Maori and a great man, Sir Maui Pomare, who in his lifetime rendered such service to his feilow-Maoris and pakehas that it was their wish to perpetuate his memory. “Let me recall a few facts that stand out in bis life,” said Mr. Coates. “He was elected to Parliament prior to 1914, and when the great crisis came that year, Sir Maui risked losing his popularity among a section of the Maoris and laced a determined hostility by his request that the Maoris should stand by our country in its hour of need. . In that he was associated with other great men of his ract —si r James Carroll, Sir Apirana Ngata. Dr. Buck (Te Rangihiroa) and Tan jj enare — w i 10 advocated that the Maoris should be brought into line with the pakeha people. Their prowess in the war was such that we were proud to ediake their hands and call them friends for eve^. ,, ■ Mr. Coates said that the entertainment was just a small effort designed to perpetuate Sir Maui's memory and to show the love and respect they Lad for Lady Poinare, who was sitting in the audience and who had only recently left a sick bed in the hospital. It also went to show the sympathy and esteem of the pakeha for Sir Maui Pomare. “It is a proud day for Lady Pomare, said Mr. Coates, “and also one that cannot be dissociated from the other great Maoris mentioned, for we must not forget the help they gave in our country’s need. They were great figures—heads who saw only one straight road, duty to the pakeha as wc now have a duty to them. It is for us to help and guide them so that they can take their place in New Zealand as a nation of two races.” Mr. Rima Whakarua, chairman of the Taranaki Trust- Board, speaking in Maori (interpreted by Mr. K. Tahiwi), also gave greetings to Lady Pomare and the people of Wellington.