DENIAL BY BATANA

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

DENIAL BY BATANA

REPUDIATES STATEMENT. NO, EMISSARY TO ROTORUA. Per Press Association. WANGANUI, January 15. . “ Ratana has never made, nor suggested a political or National Alliance with Japan, and he repudiates the re- | ported statements made at Rotorua,” leaid Mr Peter, Moko, Ratana’s. official [executive, officer, when interviewed -by ! a “Chronicle” representative by telei phone to-night. j . “We visited Japan to disseminate ; the Gospel,” continued Mr Moko. “On j.our arrival there the Japanese people j were so hospitable'that we understood ! from their kindness that they were related. As a matter, of fact we found afterwards, through inquiries, that the Japanese people and our peoplS: were related. We have sent no emissary to 'Rotorua, and the only one that could be so regarded was a man who came from the sub-tribe .to, Ratana on the occasion of the recent'gathering. BLOOD, RELATIONSHIP. 1 “On that ocoasion Ratana made the position-clear, and said that there was a bloocj reltionship with Japan.” Proceeding Mr Moko Baid that the visitor from Rotorua may have met the Arawas with a view of getting signatures jto the covenant, and in this connection ; explained that ; while - - the Ratana’s i party was away, Rat&na mislaid some of the schedules of names' and so intended to get the mover again.” > r.r VISIT TO LONDON. Referring, to the visit to London, Moko said their intention was to wait upon Air Ramsay MacDonald,, the Prime Minister, about the Treaty of Waitangij but they were informed that' it was not possible at the, time. / \ It .was suggested that an appointment might be made later,’ but it was not. .He (Moko) took the platform, and l addressed several meetings on the Treaty of Waitaiugi. Mr Moko stated that he’ personally would make a further explanation when he had more informal tion on the subject.