JAPANESE VISITORS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 50

JAPANESE VISITORS.

ENTHUSIASM AT ROTORUA. CHARACTERISTIC MAORI WELCOME. ROTORUA, August 3. Prince Takamatsu, Vice-admiral Tobayashi, and 225 officers arrived at Rotorua by special tram this afternoon, accompanied by the Alayor, Mr J. N. M’Lean, and the members of the council. There was a Jarge gathering of citizens. The boys of the Rotorua High School formed a guard of honour.

. The Alayor referred to the happy relations between the Dominion and Japan, and expressed the hope that the good feeling and the present commercial relations would continue.

The admiral, in reply, said that on behalf of the prince and the officers and men of his Imperial Japanese Majesty’s Squadron he desired to express his deep thanks for the cordial manner in which they had welcomed them. He believed that Japan and Great Britain would always be found side by side. They had always found Great Britain to be on the side of justice and humanity. It was the duty of every nation to do it utmost to put an end to war. He was proud of the fact that the Japanese Navy had been enabled to convey the gallant troop,s of New Zealand to their destinations in the Great War. It had been simply a duty they owed to the Allied nations. Referring to the new treaty promulgated between New Zealand and Japan, he said it might be mainly commercial, but he hoped that its effects ’ would be much broader and that it would result in fostering closer relations and the welfare of both countries. With regard to the sentiments expressed by the Alayor concerning the Pacific, he was in complete accord. Their main aim in visiting New Zealand was to develop and cement the mutual good feeling which already existed between both countries. He hoped sincerely that their visit would contribute to that end. Every time any of his countrymen had visited New Zealand they had been most cordially welcomed, and especially in Rotorua. He was sure that when they were back in Japan they would look back upon their visit to Rotorua with most kindly remembrances. — (Applause.) Afterwards the members of the party were driven to the Grand Hotel. After lunch they were motored to Koutu, where a huge gathering of Natives had assembled to do them honour. Koutu is on lakeside two miles out of the town. There the visitors experienced all the pomp and ceremony of the Native race, including the were (challenge) and the pouwhiri (greeting), with waving branches and chants. Many complimentary speeches were made and felicitations extended. Alanahi Rangiriri then pronounced an invitation, and the prince unlocked the door, and was the first to pass the threshold, amid much enthusiasm. Alany handsome gifts were made to the prince and the admiral, comprising mats, tokatokas, and walking sticks. The admiral, on behalf of the visitors, presented an ancient bow and gauntlets in memory of old Japan to Tai Mitchell for the Arawas in grateful recognition of their courtesy. Later the visitors were taken to Whakarewarewa and various nearby places of interest. In the evening a Maori entertainment was staged- at the Lyric Theatre, great enthusiasm prevailing.