MAORI WELCOMES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22637, 14 May 1948, Page 6

MAORI WELCOMES

FIVE PROPOSED VISIT BY ROYALTY GISBORNE ON LIST (S.K.) WELLINGTON, May 14. The Government has decided to recommend to the King that five separate Maori receptions be included in the itinerary of the visit to New Zealand of Their Majesties and Princess Margaret next year. The receptions recommended are planned to take place at Rotorua, Waitangi, Gisborne, Ngaruawahia and in the South Island. These proposals are included in the itinerary to be submitted to the King for approval and it is not known at present in what order they would occur. In addition to these specifically Maori welcomes the Maori people would, of course, join with the rest of the community in official district receptions, said the Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, today. The proposal to hold a number of receptions is a departure from the practice on previous Royal tours of holding one large reception by the Maori people at Rotorua. A mistaken impression might possibly have been created by a report in the newspapers this week. A statement that was obviously figurative had been attributed to Sir Apirana Ngata that it had been necessary to move heaven and earth to ensure a visit of Their Majesties to the East Coast. Soon after the announcement of the proposed Royal visit, said Mr. i raser, representations were made _by Sir Apirana concerning the possibility of a reception in the Gisborne district. Similar representations were made from the other districts mentioned. They were completely in line with the suggestions already made and announced by the committee dealing with the preparations for the Royal visit.