HISTORIC SITE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20971, 19 December 1942, Page 4

HISTORIC SITE

TASMAN MEMORIAL GOLDEN BAY CEREMONY SPEECHES AT UNVEILING (P.A.) TAKAKA, Dec. 7. "Remember Abel Janszoon Tasman, a commander in the service of the Dutch United East India Company, who discovered New Zealand and on December 18 and 19, 1642, anchored ih this bay. Remember also Franchoys Jacobs Zoon Visscher, pilot major and the -company of the ships Heemskerck and Zeehaen, also Jan Tyssen, of Oueven, Tobias Pietersz, of Delft, Jan Isbrintsz. and a sailor of name uniknown killed by the natives of this country.” That is the inscription on a large marble stone at the base of a higp white concrete column which lormfs a monument at Tarakohe, Golden Bay, to mark the .place on the coast closely approached by Tasman on his voyage of discovery 300 years ago. The unveiling ceremony yesterday was attended by the Netherlands delegation, headed by Dr. Charles van dejr PI as, the Prime Minister, the Rt. H'ort. P Fraser, the Hons. W. E. Parry J. G. Barclay. Mrs. C. F. Skinnci wife of Major Skinner, M.P.,,Motuek4, performed the ceremony. A party of Maoris, among whom were ants of the Maoris who attacked Tasman’s cockboat, ggve the official party a welcome with songs of navigation (whaki poi) and welcome. Mr. Parry, who presided, paid tribute to the Netherlands Government and referred to the mutual respect which had developed from old-time rivalry between the Dutch and British until to-day both peoples were joined in a fight for common ideals.

Land Gift to State

Mr J. M. Ilott, chairman of directors of the Golden Bay Cement Company, formally handed over the deed of transfer to the Government of a piece of land on which the memorial ip erected as a gift from the company. The Minister of Lands accepted the gift on behalf of the people and the Government. He gave an assurance that the -department would endeavoup to secure for the use of the people other land of historic interest in the bay.

The fine spirit shown by the forces of the United Nations in the, conflicts, which would lead to the freedom of mankind, was described by Mr. Fraser-, as similar to t,he spirit which inspired the early Dutch navigators, such as Tasman, and that being shown by men and women, of the East Indies to-day. All were waiting for. the time when the ideals of the Netherlands and all people of the United Nations could be translated into their daily lives and when the Netherlands would again take its proffer place in the world.

Members of the delegation had beep ordered out: of tI)P Indies to keep aloft tire flag of the' nation and administer the Government in exile, However their womenfolk did not leave. They had remained and were bravely sharing the trials of tyranny imposed by the Japanese. New Zealanders were pleased to honour them by welcoming members of the delegation. Allied Nations’ Protest Mr. Fraser referred to New Zealand’s support of the Allied nations; protest against the dooming to death of 4,000,000 Jews by the Nazis and the warning to the criminals that they will answer for their deeds in future. The site of the Tarakohe memorial 1.0 Tasman would rank in importance with Okarito, Waitangi and the spot near Gisborne where Captain Cook Rinded.

Following a song of goodwill by the Maoris, Mr. T. K. Tirikatene, southern Maori, said the Maori people were pleased to be .associated with the welcome to the Netherlands visitors, Dr. van der Plas said that Hollanders always had great sympathy for New Zealand which bore the name ol one of Holland’s provinces. Explaining the lack of interest by the Dutch in New Zealand following Tasmans visit, Dr. van der Plas said it was aj. that time when the country was emerging from a long struggle with the Spaniards. Pie had been greatly moved by the welcome to the delegation and said that in spite of the treatment of his people by the Germans .and Japanese, they had absolute confidence in the triumph: of tK? United Nations which would allow the Netherlands to take hen part in. winning the peace. The associations 01 Maoris arid Pakeha was am example of peoples respecting the rights and ideals of others and was an exam-, pie of the ideals for which the Allied Nations were fighting. He expressed appreciation of the great privilege. in representing the Netherlands at the unveiling of the memorial. In Takaka the large official party were the guests of the town board and county council at an official luncheon. _____