MAORI EVENING

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 175, 21 April 1937, Page 5

MAORI EVENING

English-speaking Union

Entertains

The Wellington branch of the Eng-

lish-Speaking Union held a reception

in the palm lounge of the Hotel St. George last night, at which the members welcomed as guests of honour the Maori people of Wellington. This was the first time that the union had entertained their Maori friends, and the idea proved as pleasurable as had been anticipated. The lounge looked most attractive with pottery bowls of gladioli and irises and baskets of tawny chrysanthemums supplying a decorative contrast to the softly-lighted cream walls and the graceful palms. The guests were received by the chairman of the executive, Mr. Horace Miller, Mrs. D. V. Claridge, chairwoman of the ladies’ auxiliary, and members of the executive. The representatives of the Maori race who were present included Lady Pomare, Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. H. Park, Mr. and Mrs. H. Love, Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Hammond, Mr. and Mrs. Kingi Tahiwi, Mrs. Shakespeare and Mrs. Parata. In welcoming the special guests, Mr. Miller remarked that they ivere extending this welcome not only to those of their Maori friends who were present, but also to the entire population of Maoris “throughout New Zealand, whom they represented. It was fitting that such a gathering should have taken place, Mr. Miller said, as the English-Speaking Union stood for unity and friendship, and probably nowhere in the world was there to be found such close unity between two races as between the Maori and pakeha in New Zealand.

Mr. Leigh Hunt added his welcome to that of the chairman, and gave a most interesting talk on recollections of the nearly days of New Zealand, the struggle between the Maoris and the white people who had invaded their country, and the eventual friendly cooperation that had grown up between the two races.

Mr. Edmund Anscombe also spoke a few words of welcome on behalf of the other members present. Lady Pomare and Mrs. H. D. Bennett both made charming speeches in reply to the welcome that had been extended to them. Lady Pomare remarked that if the Maori people gained the mutual respect of the pakeha, which she felt ’they had done, what more could they expect or hope for. Mrs. Bennett, in thanking the Eng-lish-Speaking Union for their kind thought and hospitality, said that the Maori people would take the hand that had thus been extended to them and hold it tight. They felt that they were really fellow-beings, with each other’s interests at heart, and Mrs. Bennett said how sincerely they welcomed the co-operation and help of the pakeha. She introduced all the Maori guests to the gathering, and several of them spoke a few words. The speeches were interspersed with a delightful programme of music and recitations, those giving items being Miss Lois Ramsay, who played a piano solo and also accompanied songs by Miss Elgar Christie and Mrs. Walter Duncan. Miss G. Nannestad gave two recitations.

The evening was brought to a close with supper, daintily served at the little green-clothed tea-tables.