THE MAORIS’ SATURDAY NIGHT

Northern Advocate, 5 February 1934, Page 7

THE MAORIS’ SATURDAY NIGHT

TRIBES INTERMINGLE THE “KING” DISCUSSED. ELECTRIC LIGHT “CLOSURE.” Another huge meeting of the assembled tribes was held in the big marquee on Saturday night. The earlier addresses were given by the hosts, and so many speakers offered that one of the elders had to appeal for limitation in the number to enable the representatives of the visitors who were being welcomed an opportunity to respond. Cordial messages of greeting were extended to the Maori King, Koroki. A matter which was continually touched upon, particularly by the East Coast people, was the failure of the Maori King to accept their invitation to the opening - of Tokomaru Bay meeting house. Departure From Tradition. It transpired that a ' Maori correspondent to one of the East Coast newspapers wrote to the effect that the peoples of that district did not recognise the Maori King as such, but. would only welcome him as a visitor without any special distinction. This came under the notice, of the Waikatos before the visit to the East. Coast, for which preparation were being made, with a result that after a conference of the elders it was decided not to accept the invitation. The East Coast speakers, in , connection with this matter, contended that the Waikatos had not acted in accordance with the true traditions of the race, inasmuch as they took to heart the derogatory remarks of an individual, utterances which could not be prevented by the people as a whole. Furthermore, remarks of this nature were an almost everyday occurrence in the lives of great men, and were never made in reference to men of inferior standing. Having expressed themselves thus, the East Coast speakers -went further, and said it was best that the young King ‘ should “stand like a tree on a wind- ‘ swept and gale torn ridge.” A tree in such a position, they pointed out, generally grow into a sturdy one, unlike the weaker trees 'sheltered in some 1 secluded valley. J The Fast. Coast speakers concluded by saying that their people had not I taken to heart the failure of the young ; King to comply with the invitation, ] and still looked forward to his visit- ' ing them on some future occasion, ; when they would lavish the hospdal- ] ity they wore keen to extend. i The King, who is only 22 .years of j ago, has still to make his. first speech , in public, and felicitations made on , his behalf were replied lo by his j grand uncle, Hannui Tawhaio, a \ younger brother of iho second King. , Native Minister Applauded. Many complimentary references were made to the Native Minister. One ] speaker, in touching upon the recent < troubles in connection with Native , Land Development administration, re- , marked that a large body of public j opinion appeared to place all the blame on Sir Apirana’s shoulders, , without any qualification. He wanted ] to say that in the traditions of the ( Maori race —and from what he had* r heard of great men among the Euro- . pcans—he had not known of any truly great man of either colour who had j done big tilings with out coming up against established rules of conduct in the various enterprises to which their exceptional activities were bent. “In the 'accomplishment of great deeds,” lie concluded, “the well laid rules of | man cannot always meet with compliance.” Midnight passed, and still an uufail- , ing spring of oratory flowed forth. At \ 12.45 a.m., one of the local representatives announced the approach of the time Avhen the camp electricity supply would be automatically cut off. Be- * fore that happened lie would like to take the opportunity of suggesting 1 that before the presentation of the people’s case to the Legislature, the representatives of every tribe in New Zealand should come to common agreement on vital matters appertaining to the race. 1 Biuiners on Sabbath. i II was mooted that, for the purpose of reaching finalily, further discussions should take place on Sunday night, but this evoked protest from \ clergymen present. In rebuttal, a Maori who was very anxious lo arrive at a settlement aptly remarked: “Don’t yon think that it will be quite all right, seeing we are seeking ways to preserve the physical well-being of ' our race? Surely if the physical side is promoted, spiritual results will fob ! low.” 1 Before a suggestion that the ques- 1 tion should be put to (lie vote could ( bo carried into effect, another warning about. tli(> lights brought a hurried 1 termination to the meeting. 1