GIFT TO SIR M. POMARE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 July 1925, Page 3

GIFT TO SIR M. POMARE.

from: island council of NIUE. MR. FRASER, MAKES ALLEGATIONS. As a result of an organised movement of the Island Council of Niue to make a presentation ito the Minister in Charge of the Cook Islands, Sir Maui Pomare, of a /finely-mounted cocoa-nut as a loving eu] < >, Mr, P. Fraser (Labour) gave notice of a long question in the House on Tuesday. He suggested that the natives had believed it compulsory to contribute. He asked that a full enquiry he held. The Minister asked leave to make an immediate reply, and then stated that last March, the secretary of the Cook Islands Department was advised that the natives, together with some New Zealand Maoris, proposed to make a presentation to the Minister. In June Mr. F raiser stated he had received a report front a correspondent in Niue that the natives were being asked to contribute to the fund by the Island Council. Sir Maui had emphatically stated ho would not accept a gift which .had been made by compulsion, and telegraphed the resident commissioner to call the council and explain the position. The natives were very indignant at such a false report being circulated, and explained that contributions (towards the gift were being made voluntarily, and this wais confirmed .some time . later by a letter signed by the members of the council. The Minister concluded by. saying : “111 ere ,seems: to be some other motive behind this suggestion. It- may he either to belittle me. or some party motive, T do not know, hut it is clear that in this little island on the borders of the Empire there are people who appreciate, at any rate, what little T have clone for tliem.'’