MAORIS WELCOME DUKE

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 December 1934, Page 7

MAORIS WELCOME DUKE

PICTURESQUE CEREMONIES ASSURANCE OF LOYALTY [per press association.] ROTORUA, December 22. Supercharged with all the symbolism and fervour of which native sentiment is capable, and enacted amid settings as inspiring as they were picturesque, the Maori welcome to the Duke of Gloucester this morning was a magnificent demonstration. Calling to their aid poetry and the warrior instincts of their race, two thousand selected Natives, led by Sir A. Ngata, in Maori costume, voiced by the thunder of the haka, the rhythm of the poi dance, and the forcefulness of gesticulation their messages of goodwill, continued unswering loyalty to the throne, and steadfastness of belief in the beneficence of British rule.

. Few of those privileged to witness the event will ever forget the spectacle presented by Arawa Park, when the present generation lived again, for the nonce, the warlike movements of their ancestors, proud of their right to shout “Haeremai” to the third grandson of the late beloved Great White Mother, Victoria. All that the Treaty of Waitangi stands for found articulation in a flowing stream of loyalty, which rippled even to the feet of the Royal Prince himself. Bronzed and tattooed descendants of the pioneer pilots of the great canoe, those taking part lost themselves in the inspiration of the moment. Of all of the impressions that the Duke of Gloucester will carry to England, that of the homage paid him to-day will assuredly be in the forefront.

The gala spirit of New Zealand’s famous thermal centre had the town under its command from an early hour, and long before the departure of the Royal party for Arawa Park, every vantage point had been captured. It was through a cheering throng that the Duke made a triumphant appearance on the maere entrance. The vast crowd received its first inspiration from a dashing challenge of outrunners with piercing cries of welcome, and the Ngeri Eparerewha, the tribal representatives, received the Royal visitor. This phase was in the hands of the Arawas. From the Ngati Tuwharetoas came a war dance, with its stirring message to “warrior meets warrior; man to man, as the battle is joined.” Equally expressive was a command to valour of a Ngatirukawa haka which followed. In vivid, telling action, it exhorted the slash of weapon to sever restraining bonds ot liberty.

His tall figure set off by his colourful uniform as Colonel of the 10th Hussars, the Prince slowly ascended the dais and turned his face to the assembled tribes. There was a dramatic pause. Chanting voices penetrated the silence as the first words of their national anthem “Kamate, Kamate,” thundered forth. Exemplifying the unity of the races was a blending of Maori and Pakeha voices in the singing of the National Anthem in English and Maori. The speech of welcome -was enclosed in a carved frame carried by a party of Maori chiefs to the foot of the dais, accompanied by a chant, with appropriate actions, "which were formally flourished as a song of defiance or derision. In deep, resonant tones the Bishop of Aotearoa read the Maori text, the English version being delivered by the Native Minister, Mr. Forbes. One striking passage epitomised the spirit of New Zealand’s “Haoremai.” It read: “Thou treasuie fiom a far land, thou who weareth a. sacred plume and sit among the highest of the earth, thou son of Tane, welcome! Hail to august Majesty and power of Empire, all hail!” The outlook of the Maori did not escape mention. “V e are troubled in spirit!” said the message in part, “and are wondering what will become of us in the days to come, in the distress of the Pakeha world, when the strong peoples of the earth will master their desires over the weak ones that may lie in their path. Come then, to renew that message of goodwill which Victoria gave her people, so that they may be assured, once more that the mantle of protection which she spread over them and the heart and faith of your Maori people will be strengthened. A colourful action song was the item which succeeded the Duke s ieply. Its keynote was that the match to happiness for all upon earth was along the road of love and the highway of faith. Stirring and impressive were the men’s ceremonial clnnce and a liana of welcome by the women of the Matatua tribe, and the haka and graceful poi of the Ngaiterangi'tribe. The impression created by the Ngatitukharetoa women’s dance of welcome, and the Ruri men’s ceremonial dance, had not faded when the Arawas combined items of poi, action song, and haka were presented. Back were turned the pages of history while the song, recalled the coming of the Arawa canoe. Descending from the dais, His Highness passed through the quivering lane of performers, before farewell chorus and “Haere ra of the natives of New Zealand. Subsequently he inspected a model pa and attended a. civic reception where a less spectacular, hut equally warm Pakeha welcome was given.

DUKE’S REPLY Ail assurance that the Empire would remain the guardian of the Native peoples was given by the Duke, in i eplving to the memorable Maori welcome at Arawa Park. The Duke said: “Greetings to you all! The King and Queen will welcome the assurances of loyalty, which I shall bear to them from their Maori people. Nearly one hundred years ago, your fatheis became the loyal subjects of my Great Grandmother, Queen Victoria, and thereafter, in peace and var, they staunchly upheld Throne and Empire and worked with their Pakeha brothers for the welfare of New Zealand. You have told me of the joy with which you regarded the visits of my father and mother, and of my brothers to this fair land. I bring you words of greeting from. ithem and from the people of Britain and a renewal of the promise that, -whatever the future brings forth, the Empire will remain your shield and guardian. I rejoice to learn that representatives of your various tribes have met together in amicable intercourse of the historic site of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi,. the Charter of your liberties. I hope this friendly in-ter-tribal contact may be maintained, and may help to perpetuate your pride in your ancient race and traditions, as

well as your beautiful language, your music, your dancing, and your handicrafts. I thank you for the enthusiastic and picturesque welcome with hakas and poi dances with which you receive me to-day. When I leave these shores and cross the sea of Kiwa, past Hawaiki, whence your fathers came, J shall bear away grateful memories of this day and of the • warm hearted Maori people. Fare you well!" A tribute io the beauties of RotoI run. was paid by the nuke when replying to the combined Pakeha-Maori welcome at the civic reception. The Duke said that the loyalty of the Arawa Tribe was of long standing and duration, and it was demonstrated afresh in the Great War, when they took their place beside their brother New Zealanders and earned an equal reputation on the battlefield. “There is no place I am more glad to visit and to see than Rotorua, of whose wonders and beauties I have so often heard from my brothers, i know that I shall go away as much impressed as they were by the variety of its attractions. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and every happiness in the New Year.” NINE TROUT. ROTORUA, December 23. Nine well-conditioned, fighting trout, the largest of which weighed four pounds, were caught by the Duke of Gloucester during three hours’ flyfishing at Awahau, on Lake Rotorua, yesterday afternoon. It was the biggest individual catch among a party , which landed a total of twenty-two fish. The conditions were ideal for , fishing at the outlet of a large spring . on .the western side of the lake, near . Ngontotaha. With his firsti cast, the Duke struck a three-pound trout, and ( landed it. (

Last night was free of engagements, the Duke dining with his suite and the Premier’s party at his hotel.

SERVICE AT MAORI CHURCH. ROTORUA, December 23. There was an historical background to the divine service attended by the Duke of Gloucester at Ohinemutu today. 'the little carved church already had been made famous by worship there by the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York. The service was conducted by the Bishop of Ao-te-aroa, Dr. Bennett, and was in Maori, although a number of Europeans were present. The installation of loud speakers enabled three hundred people on the marae outside the church clearly to heltr every word of the service. Taking as his text, “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters,” Dr. Bennett described how the British Empire had sown its good seeds in all parts of the world, and how in New Zealand missionary and colonisation work had influenced the natives to come under the beneficence of British rule. Applying to the Duke’s presence in the church, a Maori parable, “Let the emblem divinity lead, and the bearers of food come in the rear,” tho Bishop said the natives appreciated that His Highness was truly putting the first thing first. The most lasting influence of his visit would be that he had set aside some of his time to attend service. In the afternoon the Duke saw Wairakei’s concentrated thermal activity, and with his small cine camera, he took moving pictures of Kercpiti Blowhole and Lady Knox Geyser. He spent nearly an hour in the valley of the geysers, and later went trout fishing with a rod in the Aratatia .reaches of the Waikato. Going Aucklandwards, the Royal train leaves Rotorua at 4 a.m. for official functions in the northern city. A wreath to be deposited by the Duke of Gloucester at the Auckland Cenotaph-on Monday was made by a poppy factory of the British Legion at London. From the same source came the wreath placed on the shrine at the Wellington citizens’ war memorial. His Highness writes the cards. MARTON MOUNT. WANGANUI, December 24. Mr T. A. Duncan has notified the Press Association that the Duke of Gloucester will have the mount on Blackman in the Ladies’ Bracelet at Marton on January 1, and will probably be a visitor on the second day of the races. Captain Curtis will probably have a mount on Conference or Tranquility, in the Bracelet.