SERVICES TO MAORIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 287, 1 November 1934, Page 6

SERVICES TO MAORIS

RETIRING MINISTER COMMENDED \ CHANGE IN THE HOUSE. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 31. The three Native members sat together in the back row in the House of Representatives when it met after dinner to-night. The centre figure was Sir Apirana Ngata, who thus demonstrated the significant change in his position which had taken place during the day. . The discussion on the Agricultural Emergency Bill was suspended to enable the Prime Minister to table the Native Land Commission report and make a statement regarding the Ministerial change. It was a matter-of-fact document and was listened to in silence except when Mr Forbes quoted the Commission’s reference to Sir Apirana Ngata’s services to the Native race, this being received with sympathetic “Hear, hears!” Sir Apirana Ngata watched the proceedings with dispassionate interest, and, as Ministerial statements are not subject to discussion, Mr Speaker within six minutes of taking the chair called on the next speaker in the debate, putting an end to an interlude of real significance, though it was carried through in a colourless fashion. The House will reflect its real interest when the debate is taken on the Commission’s report, which opportunity the Prime Minister promised to give at the earliest moment this session. RECEPTION TO THE DUKE. NO EMBARRASSMENT LIKELY. OPINION OF ARAWA LEADER. Per Press Association. ROTORUA, Nov. 1. Fears that the Maori reception to the Duke of Gloucester may be embarrassed as the result of Sir Apirana Ngata’s resignation have been set at rest as the result of a statement made here by a leader of the Arawa people. He said: “Speaking as one of the leaders of the race, I desire to state that although we have our troubles, very big troubles, just now they cannot affect the loyalty and warmth of the reception that will be extended to the scion of British Royalty and the great-grandson of Queen Victoria, whose signature is attached to the great Magna Charta of Maori rights and liberties under the Constitution, namely, the Treaty of Waitangi. We know the quality of the patriotism of the ex-Native Minister to liis people and his sense of duty to his King and country, and, great as the wound of spirit he lias received, we know he will rise superior to the occasion and call upon the race, north, south, east, and west, to forget the present travail. “Our leaders will greet the King’s illustrious son and the thunder of the liaka and the twirling of the poi ball will be expressive of the warmth and depth of the race’s loyal welcome.”