THE LOYAL ADDRESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18586, 21 December 1934, Page 13

THE LOYAL ADDRESS

(To the Editor of tho Hornhl.) Sir,—With regard to the loyal address presented to Ilis Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester on the occasion 05 his visit to Gisborne, which ivas reputed to have been prepared presumably by the best Gisborne craftsmen, and ranked as second to r.one in the Dominion, let me point out one very glaring omission, which from its very nature takes away from tho whole address that Avlnch characterises a truly New Zealand address of Avelcome, especially to members of tho Royal House. I refer to the utter disregard to the inclusion of the Maori race in that address. In the capital city of this Dominion the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, said: “Tho loyal, happy and accomplished Maori race will join avliolca liearteuly with their European compatriots’in this welcome, etc.” The Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rtf Hon. G. W. Forbes, said; “We Parliamentary representatives of the people of /New Zealand, pakeha and Maori, unite, etc.” Noiv for a smaller town than Gis ; borne. The Mayor of Waifoa said : “The natives of our district join with theii’ pakeha brethren in this welcome to you.’ Surely tho Great War could not have failed to convince the craftsmen of Gisborne of the lovalty and devotion of the Maori race to His Majesty the King and the Royal Family. I maintain, sir, that an expression similar to those, quoted would have completed an other-! wise able address, but to add injury to ham the only reference they made td the natives was their hostility to Cap! tain Cook. What a record for the Gis J borne Maoris! to bo kept for all time] among the mementoes of Ilis Royal Highness’ tour of New Zealand. —Yours, 1 etc 1 “MAORI DIGGER.”