MAORI FAREWELL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26229, 13 August 1946, Page 6

MAORI FAREWELL

SERVICES TO NATIVE RACE BISHOP HOLLAND HONOURED CP.A.) WELLINGTON. Aug. 12. Maoris from all pastorates in the Wellington Diocese gathered at Otaki yesterday to bid farewell to the Bishop of Wellington, the Right Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland, who is leaving soon for England. Among those present was the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, as acting Native Minister. On behalf of the Maori people, a carved inkstand was presented to the bishop and a carved occasional table to the bishop and Mrs Holland. There was a special service in the Rangiatea Church, at which he bishop preached, and this was followed by a meeting on the marae at Raukawa. Tributes to Bishop Holland wore paid by the Prime Minister, the Bishop of Aotearoa, the Right Rev. F A Bennett, Mr Kipa Royal (representing the Maori race), and others. In ihe course of his address, the Bishop of Aotearoa referred to the educational benefits the Government had conferred on the Maori people. What he had to say was, he stated, in no sense political, as he took a neutral stand. “ However, like many other Maori parents, I am indebted to the Government for the help I received for the education of my children, and for that I am very grateful.” He did not think there had even been a Prime Minister so deeply interested in the welfare of the Maori people. With regard to Bishop Holland, he said they were losing one of the champions of the Maori people. A traditional welcome was extended to Mr Fraser and Bishop Holland when they arrived at the marae. Mr Kipi Royal, at the end of an oration of welcome, invited the bishop to return to New Zealand in 1951 for the centenary of the Rangiatea Maori Church. He also asked the bishop to invite one of the Princesses to New Zealand for this function.

Mr Fraser, replying, said the members of the Maori Battalion had provided a great inspiration both for New Zealanders and the Empire. He added that the Maoris of to-day were being given a unique opportunity to work out their own social and ecpnomic destinies. The Government would do everything to help them in this work. Legislation would be introduced so that tribal executives could be set up to further Maori welfare.

Mr Fraser said that Bishop Holland would return to England enriched by his association with New Zealand and. in particular, with the Maori race.