WEDDED TO JAPAN

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12038, 16 January 1925, Page 5

WEDDED TO JAPAN

SALVATION 8F MAORI RAGE DISLOYAL TENDENCIES ALLEGED AGAINST RATANA, ARAWA TRIBE SHOCKED, Per Press Association; . ROTORUA, January 15. Yesterday a meeting of the Arawa tribe at Ohinemutu discussed th© proposals of an emissary of Ratana _to sign the Ratana Covenant., , Having in view Ratana’s statement that he had laid the cause of the Maori before the Japanese Government, the emissary’s words: “Ratana has married the Maori race to the Japanese race, and their salvation now lies in the hands of Japan,” were regarded,with great dieapproval, and the following resolution was passed as it waa felt that under cover of these signatures he (Ratana) will. Use himself as th© Divine agent on earth and, direct his people to disloyal tendencies. It’ wae decided:— ARAWA TRIBE RESOLUTION. “That the Ngatiwhakaue sub-tribe of the Arawa people from their / sacred courtyard at Tepapaiouru reaffirm their unalterable loyalty to King George V., and that in any ’future divergence of tho Maori tribes elsewhere His Majesty’s representatives can always ’depend! on this section doing its duty on the side of law and order. Further, that we bear witness to th© Crown’s unfailing justice in all matters , properly placed before it for consideration. For these we are grateful, deeply grateful. , NATIVES KEENLY INTERESTED. "We gave our best during the : last Great War to show our appreciation of a great nation’s rule and to preserve our liberties under the Treaty of Waitangi. We deplore this outrageous loyalty. Hence again, recording the Words of our elders: ‘Bo true -and steadfast to Queen Victoria,, and if needs he the rock to break disloyalty in twain.’ ” There is keen interest in the matter.