MAORI LOYALTY

Otago Witness, Issue 3512, 5 July 1921, Page 23

MAORI LOYALTY

AN OLD MAN WRITES TO THE KING. WELLINGTON, June 28. An interesting leliter from an old Maori living near historic Ilokiang’a has just been received by Sir Heaton Rhodes, in his capacity of Minister of Defence. A Fan elation, runts as follows:—“To their Majesties King George and Queen Alary,—Greetings to you and to the Royal Family. Greetings to you all, with the blessing of God upon you. I have received your letter of condolence in regard to my son, who was killed at the front during the great war, and who died for his King and country. I deeply appreciate the honour of receiving your message of condolence. God save the King. I 11m sending you with this letter our photograph. We are the parents of Wikitera Reone Ngaruhe. I am applying to the British Government—that is, your Government —for a flag. I desire that ihe flag be used to commemorate the date of tiie death of my son and to perpetuate his memory. Let the flag he six yards long and three yards wide, and let Ins likeness be inscribed cii r he flag, and also the date of his death. For that reason I am forwarding you his photograph, Hire. That is all. I shall deem it a great honour if you accede to my request, " That is all. —From your humble servant, " Kiiiitera Rkoxe Ngaruhe.” With the letter, written in Maori in rather a shaky hand, came a picture of the ok! man and his wife. The old fellow has a whalebone club in his hand, and the light of other days are no doubt in his sad eyes. The photograph of the eon who gate his life for King and country is also enclosed. It is quite likely that the letter will he sent on to the King through the medium of the Governor-General. An effort will also bo made to send the old man a flag, though in the present state of the country’s finances it may not- be six yards i long by three yards wide.