WAITANGI CELEBRATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 21638, 6 February 1934, Page 6

WAITANGI CELEBRATIONS

GREAT ASSEMBLAGE OF MAORIS AND PAKEHAS THE OLD CULTURE IN SOHG AND DANCE ARRIVAL OF GOVERNOR-GENERAL [Pek United Peess Association.] WAITANGI, February 5. The full comprehensiveness of the Waitangi celebrations was emphasised in the first official function which was shared alike by pakeha and Maori—the welcome to the legislative party which arrived by special train tins morning. Fully S,OOO people assembled in the marae, the throng being controlled by marines and bluejackets from H.M.S. Dunedin and H.M-S. Diomede. a special Native police constabulary, and a troop of Frontiersmen. Practically the full Ministry and fifty members of Parliament arrived from Pailiia by launch, and were escorted to the grand stand, where they were greeted by the peril pern, a warlike dance peculiar to the Ngapnhis. This was led by Mr Tau Henare, wearing Native costume for the first time since the camp began, and the dance became so intense that the stamping feet raised dust on ground which was soaked for the latter part of the week. Action songs of the past and present were contrasted in offerings by the Gisborne and Rotorua parties, whose full-bodied interpretations followed the lines of their ancestors. The Ngatatikahunguru men wore flannel “ longs,” and the women white blouses. Harmony and a light mellow refrain ran through the song of the Hawke’s Bay party, and the motif was modernistic, showing the evolution of the art. Clad in sombre black and piu pius, a more elderly party of wahines and men, almost naked, of the Matatua tribe, performed a liaka.

As the Southern Cross passed overhead an imitation of the -lew’s harp twanging and actions of a man undressing were given in a novel haka by the Ngata Tuwharetoa people, of Taupo, after which the Ngatiporou warriors, led by Sir Apirana Ngata, advanced in close formation to the front. Their every aspect betokened ferocity, and the slow march forward expressed the suppressed passion of these superlative war dances. The head of each toa was encircled by a tapere hand in which were inserted two feathers. The fierce evolutions of the war dance had no sooner terminated than Sir Apirana Ngata, stripped except for his chieftain’s mat, and carrying a mere in his hand, stepped forward. His message to the politicians awaiting his greetings was brief but to the point. “No speeches will be delivered by the hosts,” he said, and, sweeping his hand imperiously to encompass the assembled fighting men, singing girls, and haka parties, be exclaimed. “ What you have just seen represents the Maori speeches of welcome. It is the spirit of Waitangi. It may he misunderstood, hut the Maoris of New Zealand would like to retain sonic of their ancient culture and let Parliament to-day realise what that -means. There are plenty of pakehais .in t New Zealand without us. I think the-people of.;;New Zealand would regret the loss of their Maoris and the best of their culture.” (Loud applause.) Speeches in response were delivered by the Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. G W. Forbes), the Right Hon. -I. G. Coates, Mr M. J. Savage, Mr W. Downie Stewart, and the Hon. K. « - Weaver (Minister of Health, New South Wales). , , The leaders of all parties agreed that Maori culture should be retained. WELCOME TO GOVERNOR 10.000 MAORIS AND PAKEHAS ASSEMBLED Rivalled by no gathering since thfe Duke of Cornwall’s visit thirty-two years ago, the welcome of the tribes to the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe this afternoon crowned the crusade for the renaissance of Maoii culture. Weeks, in fact months, of preparation, had equipped the Maoris to present a message in actions which were as full of meaning as words could be, and as tribe after tribe made their contribution to the performance of various dances which took the spectators back in history to long before the coming of the European, the huge assemblage of fully 10,000 Maoris and pakehas was given a clear indication as to the feelings which the Natives desire to express on the occasion of the anniversary of Waitangi. The morning’s reception to the parliamentary party was a memorable one, but was much surpassed by the performance before the King’s representative., Long before the appointed hour for the,arrival of the Vice-Regal party a dense crowd surrounded the marae. The weather after the queer twists of the previous week was kind, and the bay of many isles has never looked more charming. Overhead the Southern Cross and other planes soared. The assurance of the continued loyalty of the Rarotougau people to the British flag was voiced when King Makea Mui Tmirau received his U.B.E. at the hand of the GovernorGeneral and presented His Excellency with a ceremonial axe. An exceptionally fine silver cup for the Maori dancing competitions was handed to Mr Tau Henare. Acknowledgment and thanks of the wonderful gilt of the Waitangi Residency and property were voiced by the Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) and Mr Coates. Mr Forbes said the people ol New Zealand greatly appreciated the gift which their Excellencies had made to the nation, and the Maoris had expressed their thanks in their own way. Now, on behalf of the white people, he would thank their Excellencies lor their gift and for establishing Waitangi as an evergreen memorial of the signing of the treaty. Coming from the Old Land, where historic memorials were so much thought of, thoir Excellencies had seen the value that Waitangi would be to New Zealand. Mr Coates said he was present more as a local member than as a member of the Government, so on behalf of the people living in North Auckland he wished to thank their Excellencies most sincerely for their wonderful gift to New Zealand. It was fitting, as had been done that day, that there should be recognition of the very fine act on the part of their Excellencies. “ We thank you, your Excellencies, for -your gift,” said Mr Coates. “As the years roll by not only the local people but the people of New Zealand in general will realise what value such a gift is.” Messrs Forbes’s and Coates’s remarks were endorsed with loud applause from the vast concourse.