ISLANDS CRUISE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1939, Page 22

ISLANDS CRUISE

IBRD AND.IADY GALWAY

VISIT TO RAROTONGA

IMPRESSIVE SCENES

jH.M.S. Achilles, with the GovernorGeneral, Viscount Galway, and Viscd.untess Galway on board, arrived at

Riarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands, on' Tuesday, July 11. Approached from the sea, Rarotonga (20 miles in circuriiference) is one of the nlost beautiful -islands in the southeastern Pacific. Its rugged volcanic hills stand out boldly against the skylibne on a clear day and are clothed in verdure to their summits. Between the hills and the seashore on the lowland «©«onuts and other tropical trees may b^ seen. The island is surrounded by a protecting reef of coral, mostly of the fringing type.

-Their Excellencies landed at the wharf at Avarua, and were received by the Resident Commissioner, Judge H. F, Ayson, and Mrs. Ayson. A guard of honour was provided by native returned soldiers, and there was a parade of ex-servicemen, both Maori and European, Girl Guides, Boys' Brigade, and school children. The official reception took place in the open air in front of the Govef-nment Buildings.

. Their Excellencies, after the band had played the National Anthem, inspected the guard of honour and parade, and then approached the steps of the Government Buildings, where a Maori call of welcome was made by the Potikitaua (high priest) on behalf Of the Maori inhabitants. The official reception then took place, the following speech of welcome on behalf of all residents being made by the Resident Commissioner: — LOYALTY TO EMPIRE. . "It is with the greatest pleasure that we welcome you to the shores of Rarotonga. Ever since your visit to Rarotonga was projected we have all been looking- forward to this eventful day. Our one regret is that your stay amongst us is limited to two days, but we trust that whilst you are here you \<rill both feel that you are surrounded by a spirit of cordial friendship, loyalty, and good will. v >■ "It is in this manner that we are proud and_pleased.to receive you both. Your Excellencies may easily imagine the enthusiasm aroused in our people by a visit of the representative of his Majesty the King. Your Excellency can be fully assured of the intense and unswerving loyalty of all our inhabitants to the Crown of England. On the subject of loyalty may. I read an extract from a letter dated September 8, 1900, from Queen Makea. as chief of the Federal Government, to his Excellency the Earl of Ranfurly on the occasion ot the death of the Duke of Edinbur ''" She was writing on behalf of" u:e Arikis of Rarotonga, as follows:—'Her Tvlajesty will probably be scarcely aware of our existence, being as we ■' are the inhabitants of a small 'island- in the Pacific, but I can assure you," nly Lord, V.v.i. her Majesty has ho more loyal and sympathetic friends than the people of Rarotonga and the Cook Islands generally.' "And,- your Excellency, we are proud to "A - that the position is exactly the same a this day. His Majesty King George VI has no more loyal, devoted, law-abiding subjects in any part _of the vast British Empire, and m saying that I speak for both the races represented here today. Our loyalty was put to the test during the Great War when, in common with all parts of the King's Dominions, there was an eager response in both men and money. Over 500' of our Maori lads, and as many Europeans as were eligible went overseas to take their part in the struggle. We pray that your Excellency will be pleased to convey these sentiments of loyalty and affection to his Majesty from all the people of the Cook Islands. CEDED TO BRITAIN. "It may be fitting that I should refer to the fact that until 1888 these islands were independent of the British Crown. It was on October 27, 1888, that Captain Bourke, of H.M.S. Hyacinth, declared Rarotonga to be under British protection. From then until 1900 British authority was represented by a resident who reported direct to the Governor of New Zealand. Then, on October 8, 1900, followed an event which was of supreme importance to all the islands of the group. On a historic spot close to where we are now, Queen Makea, who was an Ariki for forty years, and who was chief of the Federal Government of the Cook Islands, and acting on behalf of all the Arikis and chiefs of the group, ceded to her Majesty Queen Victoria the sovereignty of the whole group. The Earl of Ranfurly was present on that occasion representing her Majesty. Thus these islands became part of the British Empire, and were included within, the boundaries of New Zealand. "I should mention, perhaps, that the group was not annexed to Great Britain in the popular sense of the word, but that the Arikis, chiefs, and people desired the sovereignty of Great Britain for their own welfare and protection. And so our people are always proud to say that they are the youngest ihild of Queen Victoria, meaning that this group was the last territory to become part of the British Empire during the reign of her beloved Majesty. - "I regret that it is necessary to impart a note of sadness into our proceedings. Makea Nui Tinirau Ariki, 0.8. E., who was a grand-nephew of Queen Makea, died on January 26 of this year, and is bjsing mourned alike by his own family and'tribe, and by all Maoris and Europeans of Rarotonga and the Cook Group. May I, on behalf of his family, convey .to your Excellencies their - sincere thanks for the message of sympathy received on that occasion. "During the thirty-eight years that New Zealand has had the responsibility of administering the affairs of this group, considerable progress has been made in various directions. To safeguard the health of its inhabitants, to extend the benefits of education among the people, and to assist them in their industries and trade —these stand out pre-eminently in New Zealand's policy in the government of the Cook Islands. I should also, emphasise the spirit of cordial friendship and mutual respect which exists . between the . Maori and European peoples of this group. We intermingle with the greatest freedom and are living, together in complete harmony. You will find our Maori people industrious, hospitable to a fault, loyal, happy even in times of adversity, and full of hope and trust for the future. - "We pray that on your departure the Almighty will safeguard you: that you will be rocked gently upon' the bosom of the historic Sea of Kiws, until you view once more that mountain in New Zealand named Hikurangi, which name is borne by one of the high, peaks of ] this island .(Ikurangi)—a testimony for [

all time that the Maori of New Zealand and our Cook Islands Maoris are one people, governed by one GovernorGeneral, and united under the flag of the Great British Empire." HIS EXCELLENCY'S REPLY. Replying, his Excellency said | "I wish to express my sincere and heartfelt thanks for the most loyal and friendly welcome which you have accorded to her Excellency and myself on the occasion of our first visit to your island home. As you know, I come among you as the King's representative, and I can assure yeu it will be my privilege and pleasure, as well as my duty, to inform the King, when I return, of the very loyal welcome which you have extended to his Majesty's representative in this portion of his Dominions. "Ever since our arrival in New Zealand we have been looking forward with the keenest anticipation to this visit to Rarotonga and the other Pacific Islands, of which we have heard so much, and of meeting the people who dwell therein. And now that we are here at Rarotonga, I can assure you that all we have seen so far is beyond our expectations. Everything is so different from other countries —the vegetation, the beauty of the island itself, and also the people themselves. All around me I see smiling faces and a happy and contented people, who are well cared for by a bountiful Providence. People of Rarotonga, you have much for which to be thankful. You are far removed from those unfortunate countries where the inhabitants I have no family lands from which to acquire their needs and who suffer from cold through inadequate clothing, where war and strife and economic and other troubles make it impossible for the people to live happy and contented lives. Here in the Cook Islands you live under the British Crown: and I know you all appreciate the great advantages attaching to that privilege. "I am most interested to learn of the proud part played by the people of the Cook Islands —Maori and pakeha alike —during the Great War. Their wonderful response on that occasion was splendid proof of their loyalty, and hi its maintenance lies the surest safeguard of the peace and prosperity of the great Empire to which we are proud to belong. "It is a great pleasure to me to learn of the excellent relations which exist here between the Maori and the pakeha, and of your appreciation of the valuable assistance which has been rendered to the people of the Cook Islands by the New Zealand Government for their general welfare. "I have reail much of the history of your islands, and especially how, towards the end of the reign of our beloved Queen Victoria, Queen Makea ceded the Cook Group to Great Britain. I am sure that you people of the Cook Islands will always have good reason to congratulate your wise leaders in those days for their decision in this important matter. "Just before I left New Zealand I received a telegram from Buckingham Palace, commanding me to deliver the following message from the King to his Majesty's people in the Cook Islands. The King's message to you reads: —'I am glad to take the opportunity afforded by the visit of the Governor-General to express to my people in the Cook Islands my best wishes for their well-being and happiness on this the first occasion since my accession on which my representative has visited the Islands.'' "As I have said, Lady Galway and I are looking forward with pleasure to our all too brief stay at Rarotonga. We feel that it is going to be a very interesting one, and one of which we shall carry away the happiest memories. We thank you once again for your kindly welcome," and we earnestly trust that the blessing of God will ever rest upon you and upon the peoples of these Islands." His Excellency then invested Dr. E. P. Ellison, Chief Medical Officer, with the insignia of an Officer of the British Empire. The singing of the National Anthem by all concluded the reception, and their Excellencies proceeded to the Residency. - In the afternoon a garden party was held in the beautiful grounds of the Residency and was attended by about 400 guests. The band of the Achilles played selections during the afternoon. Many residents availed themselves of the opportunity of being presented to their Excellencies, who mixed freely amongst the guests and delighted everyone by their charming personality. A beautiful day and the hospitality of the Resident Commissioner and Mrs. Ayson added considerably to the success of the function. Some 350 guests attended an official ball held in the evening, at which their Excellencies were present. On the following day their Excellencies visited the hospital and also inspected the child welfare nurses, whose voluntary work in the welfare of infants is proving of great benefit. After morning tea at the residence of Dr. and Mrs. Ellison, their Excellencies attended a combined Maori reception at Taputapuatea, Avarua. The Maoris received their distinguished guests according to ancient custom, with speeches of welcome, singing, and dancing. Their Excellencies were presented by the Maoris with many beautiful gifts as a mark of their loyalty and affection to the Crown. The feast provided was of "gigantic proportions. The harmonious singing of the Maori choir and the Native dancing were special features of the occasion. Although the visit to Rarotonga was curtailed to two days there was time for their Excellencies to visit places of historic interest, including the old church and residence built by the London Missionary Society after the Gospel had been introduced into Rarotonga in 1823. Their Excellencies also motored round the island, a distance of some 21 miles, and had the opportunity of admiring the beautiful scenes which every turn in the road unfolded. _______________