LOOK TO THE SUN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23574, 7 February 1940, Page 13

LOOK TO THE SUN

FUTURE OF THE MAORI VISCOUNT GALWAY'S ADVICE BROTHERHOOD OF THE RACES [by telegraph —own' correspondent] ■WAITANGI. Tuesday "We are assembled writing the last words of a page of, history that will be turned over for a new writing, to begin a new century," said the Gov-ernor-General, Viscount Gahva.v, at the official opening of the new Maori meet-ing-house at Waitangi to-day. It was a far cry to times and conditions 100 years ago and it was hardly to be expected that perfection would be reached in a moment, and undoubtedly there' were injustices which all were doing their best to remedy. It was to be hoped in the next 100 years they would be completely obliterated. Continuing, Lord Galway said Sir Apirana Ngata had said that where.injustices were overcome tribes looked forward instead of back. He would ask them to remember the words, "Look to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you." In looking back over the history of the past 100 years there was a definite period of 75 years after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi during which there was a feeling among the Maoris that they were rather 'overwhelmed by the pakehas, that the Maori race was on the decline, and that the future 1 held little hope. False Prophesies Then, in 1914, the Maoris joined up in the struggle for liberty. It put life and heart into the Maori race and the old prophesies were rendered false. From then on a new compact was made, not like a treaty, but one of heart agd affection between the Maoris and their pakeha brothers. When the war was over the Maoris came back strengthened and heartened. Since then the race had never looked back. They were increasing in numbers and there was before them an era of great prosperity. The race had produced many great 1 and distinguished men, like Sir Maui Pumare and Sir Apirana Ngata. Now another compact was being made; another Maori Battalion was being raised. \ Lord Galway said it was sad to be saying farewell to the tribes. Before the end of the year he would have sailed for the Home Country," but he would take back pleasant recollections of the kiijdness shown by Maori and pakeha alike. Welcome in Traditional Style A fine welcome in traditional Maori style was given to the GovernorGeneral and other distinguished visitors on the marae in front of the new meeting house before its opening. A war dance by a party from Ngapuhi carrying paddles began the proceedings, and after this two parties from the Maori Battalion, belonging to Rotorua and the East Coast, gave a particularly fine series of war dances and hakas. Sir Apirana Ngata, who acted as compere, caused much amusement by inviting Major-General J. 15. Duigan and the Hon. F. Jones to suggest anything better in the way of military physical drill than one particular haka.