ARAWAS ASKED TO SIGN

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 13, 16 January 1925, Page 4

ARAWAS ASKED TO SIGN

JAPAN'S RELATION TO THE MAORI RACE.

(BY TKLBGIUPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ', ROTORUA, 15th January. Yesterday a meeting of Arawas at Ohinemutu discussed the proposals of the emissary of Ratana to sign the Ratana- Covenant, having in view Ratana's statement that he laid the cause of the Maori before the Japanese Government. Using the words of the emissary : "Ratana has married the Maori race' to the Japanese race, and their salvation now lies in the hands of Japan." This was regarded, with great disapproval, and the following resolution was passed, as it was felt that under cover of these signatures; Ratana will use himself as a divine agent on earth and direct hk people to disloyal tendencies. It was decided that "The Ngatiwhakaue sub-tribe of the Arawa people from their sacred court-yard, Te .Papaioiiru, reaffirm unalterable loyalty to King George "V., and that in any future divergence of Maori tribes elsewhere; His .Majesty's representatives can, aiways depend on this section doing its duty on the side of law and order. Further, that we bear witness to the Crown's unfailing justice in all matters properly placed before it for consideration. -For these we are grateful, deeply grateful. We gave of our best during the last Great War, to show our appreciation ] of a great nation's rule and to preserve our liberties under the Treaty of Waitangi. We deplore this outrageous disloyalty, hence again recording the words of our elders to be true and steadfast to Queen Victoria and if needs be, be the ropk to break disloyalty in twain." There is keen interest.in the matter. -