CHIEFTAIN'S CLOAK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 61, 9 September 1941, Page 6

CHIEFTAIN'S CLOAK

MAORI PRESENTATION

WELCOME TO SAILORS

A Maori chieftain's cloak was presented yesterday, at a typical Maori welcome, to the commander of the group of nival men who have returned from service overseas by the Hon. P. K. Paikea, member of the- Executive Council. The entertainment was provided by members of the NgatiPoneke Young Maori Club, ,and included poi dances and songs. Among those present were the Acting Prime Minister (Mr.. Nash) and the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones), and representatives of the Native race present included Lady Pomare, Mrs. Oka Heketa, Mrs. E. T. W. Love, ariki-elect of Rarotonga, Mrs. Hapi Love, Mrs. E. J. Ropata, Mrs. H. Walker,, Miss Wi Neera, Messrs. Hapi Love, Kingi Tahiwi, sen., F. Katene, and M. Jones. Mr. Love, in a speech in Maori, translated by Mr. Tahiwi,. said that the men had followed with deep interest the activities of the naval personnel. "It is a great honour to the Maori people," he said, "to be invited to see how the men, of the Navy behave and do their work. We have Maoris in each arm of the service and, as a matter of fact, it is my earnest hope that in the future we shall see many more of our Maoris in the Navy. To the Acting Prime Minister and to the Ministerof Defence I must say that we feel highly honoured in seeing you among us today, because we look on you as the parents of our children overseas. Therefore, I say to you tena koe, greetings and good health to you all." . :

The korowai, or chieftain's cloak, had been, sent by-Princess Te Puea Herangi with greetings, from King Koroki, who is regarded by most of the tribes as the leading chief of New' Zealand.

In accepting the gift, the commander of the party expressed the admiration which the naval men held for the part played by the Maoris in the Greece and. Crete campaigns.