PRESS DELEGATES

Evening Star, Issue 19024, 20 August 1925, Page 10

PRESS DELEGATES

ROTORUA’S WDELGOME THE LOYAL ARAWAS [Per United Press Association.] ROTORUA. August 19. Mita Taopapaki, resplendent in a feather mat and headdress, welcomed the Empire Press delegates to Rotorua. With a stirring eloquence, he voiced the loyalty of the Arawas to King and country. Ho trusted that what they saw that day would be told to the world. ■ Rehari, a chief, followed, welcoming the chiefs of the Press who controlled the nows of the world. Naira also voiced the same loyal sentiments and pleasure in greeting so distinguished a gathering of Pressmen, who spoke to the whole world. He trusted their report would do justice to the Arawas. During the speeches frequent applause from the visitors testified their interest. . Sir Frank Nownos, in reply on behalf of the British Press, thanked the speakers for all the line lungs t) ey had said when welcoming them to ti eir place. They had come 15,000 miles to visit them, and on their way (hey saw the island whence their Maori ancestors came in their canoes, but the delegates came in a great , 2(i,,; i 'o-ton steamship. In their travels they had seen nothing so interesting as that which they saw in Rotorua, The speaker thanked them for their magnificent entertainment at the King’s Theatre the night before. The beauty and charm of the ladies and the fine physique of the men—(loud applause) —had so affected the men of the party that they were learning a haka and the Indies the poi dances. Maori speakers at the reception of the American fleet had said “ that they loved the Empire because it ruled with truth, justice, and honor.” He thanked them for that; phrase. They were journeying to Australia to consider questions concerning the making of (hat Empire vet more glorious and helpful. In writing to their papers they would bo able to say that they had met no people more loyal than the Arawas. After an interlude of Maori song the speaker again thanked them for their welcome, 'concluding with the words “ Kia ora ! Kia ora ! ” Mr J. 11. Woods (Canada) thanked the Arawas also. Ho said ho came from a sister dominion. He thanked them for their music, so full of melody, for the grace of their young women in the dance, their men for their manly prowess, and all for the welcome- The speaker had heard that the Maori was brave in war, hospitaole to strangers, and loyal to the King and to one another. ’These were quilities on which the Empire was built. (Applause.) The Maori race would always Slave their true affection, mid through them the world would know what a hospitable people they < wore. On behalf of Canada and his colleagues he saluted them and wished them well. At tiiis there was a great demonstration of applause. SIGHT-SEEING. During the afternoon the Press delegates devoted their time to sport and local sight-seeing. Sir J l '. Ncwnes, Major and Lady Astor, Mr E. Wootihcnd, and others,' as guests of the Rotorua Golf Club, played club members. Great appreciation was shown of the wonderful links. The visitors played a useful game, and thoroughly enjoyed the course. The lawn tennis courts were also freely availed of. Sir 11. Betham, Sir E. Elide, and Mr John Bassett led this division, the ladies of the party also participating. The baths were freely availed of.

Independent parties made excursions into tho forest reserves and nurseries. Messrs Dofoe (Winnipeg) and J. H. "Woods (Calgary), members of the Canadian Press, were keenly interested. Lord Burnham made a special study of forestry conditions. All are deeply impressed with tho national forestry movement, its development, and initial experiences. Sir George Fenwick says that the whole party is deeply conscious of the magnificent opportunities the dominion affords for settlement and the wonderful resources of tho country. Tho Press delegation, is a happy and harmonious party, keenly receptive and sympathetic, and bring the traveller’s minds to the observation of things, domestic, economic, and Imperial. At night many attended a dance at Dixieland.