DUSKY SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue XC, 7 October 1915, Page 8

DUSKY SOLDIERS

COOK ISLANDERS FOR THE FRONT UNIQUE CEREMONY IN LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER. There was a unique change of programme in the House of Representatives this morning. Hustled legislation and the end of the session rush were for the time forgotten, as politicians and those engaged in the precincts of the House witnessed the most unusual and' striking spectacle ever seen in the / legislative Chamber. The occasion was a welcome to forty-five natives of the South Sea Islands (mostly Rarotongans) who have left their lotus-eating existence in the "Islands of the Blest" for the stern realities of grim warfare. The Islanders, prior to the ceremony, had attracted a good deal of attention, and caused a large amount of conjecture as they marched through town underneath the verandahs, singing "Tipperary" and "Are We Downhearted?" in their native tongue. A drizzling rain did not dampen their lightheartedness, although they had no topcoats and wore white canvas shoes. The most noteworthy feature of their dress were the shells — evidently charms — which they wore round their necks. When the Islanders reached Parliament House they were marched into the Chamber and lined up in a semi-circle round the back of the members' seais. They then melodiously sang a native Rarotongan war song, after which they were addressed by the Hon. James Allen \ Minister for Defence), through the medium of an interpreter. Mr. Allen said that the men were gathered not only from Rarotonga, but from several of the Cook Islands, and as far afield as Tahiti. They had come to join hands with their Maori brothers in New Zealand and would go into camp at Auckland to prepare themselves to go to the front to fight alongside the Maori and pakeha for the flag which represented to them and to us freedom. The address was followed by a tuneful ditty, " Plere we are ; here we are ; here we are again," sung in excellent English by the Islanders. The Maori members. Messrs. A. T. Ngata, C. Parata, and Tau Henare briefly addressed the guests in Maori, and their remarks were listened to with close attention. The small coterie of Native members then danced a Maori haka with much grimace and great enthusiasm, making the floor of the building tremble. The Speaker of the House (Mr. F. W. Lang) delivered a brief address to the Natives. "I feel very much the honour conferred upon me by extending on be half of the members of Parliament a hearty welcome to you. We feel proud of the way in which all parts of the Empire have come forward to aid the Old Country in her hour of need. All those who have gone to the front have distinguished themselves, and we feel quite certain that you will distinguish yourselves like those -who have gone before you. It only remains for me to extend to you a hearty welcome to New Zealand and express the wish that you will come back safely from the front and return to your own country." The Polynesians also sang "Tipperary" in their own language, and after the Speaker's address, "God Save the King" was fervently sung by pakeha and Native alike. The Native interpreter then called for " Three cheers for the Minister of the Parliament." These were given and followed by "Three cheers for th» member of the Parliament." The Hon. Mr. Allen called for cheers for " The Rarotongans " and " The Empire" and a similar tribute to "The King" (called' for by the interpreter) terminated a picturesque ceremony. The Islanders, wfio arrived by the Moana this morning, are in charge of Police-Sergt. J. Nash. They leave for the Auckland Training Camp by tonight's Main Trunk express. WASTE OF TIME STRAIGHT TALK IN THE HOUSE THE PRIME MINISTER PROTESTS. Wasting the time of Parliament was the theme of some remarks by the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. " We have seen a great deal of waste of time," said Mr. Massey, " and I understand i£ is intended to go on doing so every afternoon so long as the session lasts!" Mr. Ell : Where did you get that from? Mr. Massey : I got it this morning. Mr. Ell : Then you should say where it came from, because it is absolutely incorrect. Mr. Massey : The statement was made to me — and not by a member of the House. Mr. Ell (excitedly) : The PremieT should say where he got it from ! Mr. Massey : The hon. gentleman should not get excited. Mr. Eli : I am not excited. Mr. Maseey : " You look it. ... We know every one of us that the time of the House has been wasted. I don't know whether it is intended to waste tlie time of the House now. But I would like to suggest that we get on with the business. It seems to me it is the proper thing to do." Mr. Massel added that lower down on the Order Paper was a Bill (the Wellington Basin Reserve Bill). But he didn't know why the time of the House should be wasted trying to block it. He had eeen the lion, gentleman concerned that morning, and had asked him why they did not come to a vote over it. They were stopping the House coming to a division. Mr. Wilford : Who is stopping it ? Mr. Massey : Every time w© are coming to the Bill there is a. stoppage. I am not very sweet on the Bill myself, 'but I would come straight to a decision on it. The member in charge is prepared to do so. Mr. Wilford said the Premier had spoken practically at him. Mr. Massey said he had not spoken personally. Mr. Wilford : Weil, as near as you can! Mr. Wilford added that he had presented two petitions on the previous day on behalf of two constituents, and it was on their account he had spoken. A little later, Mr. Sidey recalled what had occurred in the earlier stages of the session, and said time had been watted because Bills "were not ready. Mr. Massey retorted that this was not correct. The legislation had been held over while the National Government negotiations were in prosrees. He could not submit legislation while there was a possibility of a new Government coming in. Ho said that Mr. Sidey had wasted more time than any other member. (Laughter.) Mr. Payne took exception to this, saying that Mr. Sidey was the last member of the House to waste time.