SMART PARADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24540, 24 March 1943, Page 2

SMART PARADE

THOOPS IN ROTORUA RETURNED MEN TAKE PART (S.K.) ROTORUA, Tuesday A lair proportion of the strength of the Second Maori Battalion, fully representative of the Maori people of the Dominion, arrived at Rotorua this afternoon, after a long train journey, to participate to-morrow in the opening of the two centennial meetinghouses. Lieutenant-Colonel G. F. Bertrand, why served in tho last war and also in Greece, Creto and Libya, was in command, and several of his oflicers and non-commissioned officers wore tho distinguishing badge of overseas service in this war. Participating in the enthusiastic traditional welcome to the battalion at Ohinemutu were representatives of visiting tribal delegations, including Mr. H. Love, of Pctone, father of the late Lieutenant-Colonel E. T. W.< Love, who for a time commanded the Maori Battalion overseas. Led by a military band, the very smart parade, whose members had recently concluded strenuous field exercises, marched from tho railway station to Ohinemutu. One of the stirring tunes was "Maori Battalion," composed by a son of the Arawas' spokesman at tho welcome. Townspeople and visitors gathered along the route, and the atmosphere was charged with emotion deeper than happy excitement, due, no doubt, to links with the overseas battalion. At the ceremonies to-morrow the battalion will provide a guard of honour to tho Governor-General, Sir Cyril New,'ill, and 100 of its members, who have been specially trained, will perform hakas.