THOUSAND STRONG

Northern Advocate, 5 February 1934, Page 7

THOUSAND STRONG

SURROUND THEIR LEADER NOTABLE RECEPTION SIR A. T. NGATA’S SPEECH BRIEF AND FORCEFUL (Special to "Northern Advocate. ’) WAITANGI, This Day. The full comprehensiveness of the Waitangi celebrations was emphasised in the first official function, shared alike by Pakeha and Maori—a welcome to the Legislative party which arrived by special train this morning. Fully eight thousand people were assembled in the marae, the dense throng being controlled by marines and bluejackets from the Dunedin and Diomede, special native police constabulary and a troop of Frontiersmen. | Practically the full Ministry and 50 members arrived from Paihia by launch. They were escorted to the grandstand, where they were greeted by the peruperu, a warlike dance - peculiar to the Ngapuhis. ; This, led by Mr Tau Henare, wear-j ing native costume for the first time j since the camp began, became so in-! tense that the stamping feet raised j dust om the ground which was soaked for the latter part of the week. Action songs of the past and present were contrasted in offerings by Gisborne and Rotorua parties, whose fullbodied interpretation followed the lines of their ancestors, whereas the Ngatikahunguru men wore flannel “longs” and'the women white blouses. , Harmony and a light mellow refrain ran through the song of the Hawke's Bay party. The motive was modernistic, showing the evolution of art. Clad in sombre black and pin-pins, a more elderly party of wahines, and men almost naked, of the Matatua tribe, performed a haka. As the Southern Cross passed overhead, ah imitation of a Jew’s harp - twanging and the actions of a man - undressing were given in a novel haka by the Ngati Tuwharetoa people of Taupo, after which the Ngatiporou warriors, led by Sir A. T. Ngata, advanced in close formation to the front. Their every aspect betokened ferocity, and the slow march forward expressed the suppressed passion of the superlative war dancers. The head of each too" was encircled by a tapere band, in which was inserted two feathers. The fierce evolutions of the war dance had no sooner terminated than Sir A. T. Ngata stepped forward to make a momentous speech. Terse Eloquence. Garbed in the warrior costume of his ancestors and surrounded by 1000 primitive “savages/’ the Hon. Sir A. T. j Ngata, Native Minister, addressed to the Parliamentarians assembled at Waitangi today a message brief in context, yet pregnant with meaning. Eight thousand people had witnessed the first part of the ceremonial, the welcome to the Et. Hon. G, W. Tfcrbes, Prime Minister, and party,' and were waiting for the speeches of welcome. There were none. Waving his mere, the Native Minister commanded silence, and, addressing Pakeha and Native alike, said: “There will be no speeches of welcome from the Maori to the Par- I liamontary party today. What yon j have just seen typifies the Maori speech of welcome. This (sweeping his. arm to encompass the assembled tons, singing girls and haka parties is the Spirit of Waitangi, It may be misunderstood, but the Maoris of New Zealand would like to retain some of their culture and let the Parliament of today itself realise what it is. There are plenty ’of Pukehas in 2sTew Zealand with- • out it. I think the people of New Zealahd would regret it if they lost their Maoris and the best of their culture. (Loud applause.) “We welcome you.”

MINISTERS REPLY. MUTUAL GOODWILL. Responding to the welcome on behalf of the Government, Mr Forbes said that Parliament wished to do everything possible to assist the Maori in the development of his land and enable him to take his part along with the Pakeha to face the conditions of the future. The gathering today, at which Europeans were present from all parts of New Zealand to do honour to the native race, exemplified the character of the friendship which the Pakeha held for the Native. “You have our utmost goodwill, and you can rely on us to do all we can to help you to become prosperous citizens,” added Mr Forbes. The Prime Minister agreed that the welcome extended was the most ef- j fective form of greeting, and expressed agreement with the Minister that such culture and traditions should be retained. He complimented Sir A. T. Ngata on the high standard ef the demonstration. Unity and Co-operation. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates referred to the unity and co-operation which had been achieved under the Treaty of Waitangi, and the efforts the Government was making to advance the cause of both sections of its people. He agreed that, in the evolutionary process, the Native should not lose his culture and tradition. It was the duty of the Pakeha to help the Maori back to agriculture, for which purpose land would have to be provided. “If the Maoris themselves do not possess sufficient,” said Mr Coates, “let us preserve our country and go forward hand in band.” Speeches were also made by Mr M. .1. Savage, Leader of the Opposition, and the Hons. F. H. Stewart and R. W, D. Weaver.