MAORI WELCOME

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18587, 22 December 1934, Page 6

MAORI WELCOME

THE DUKE AT ROTORUA

STIRRING SCENES

MESSAGES OF GOODWILL

MEMORABLE SPECTACLE

(Per Press Association.)

ROTORUA, this day. Supercharged with all the symbolism and fervor of which the native sentiment is capable, and enacted amid settings as inspiring ns they wore picturesque, the Maori welcome to the Duke of Gloucester this morning was a magnificent demonstration. Calling to their aid the and warrior instincts of their race, 2000 selected natives led by Sir Apirana Ngata in Maori costume voiced by the thunder of the haka, the rhythm of the poi dance, and the forcefulness of gesticulation their messages of goodwill and continued unswerving loyalty to the Throne and steadfastness in their belief in the beneficence of British rule.

Few of those privileged to witness the event will ever forget the spectacle presented by Arawa Park when the present generation lived again for the nonce the warlike moment of their ancestors, proud of' their right to shout “Haeremai third grandson of our late beloved Great White Mother, Victoria. ” All that the Treaty of Waitangi stands for found articulation' in the flowing stream of loyalty Which rippled even to the feet of the Royal Prince himself for the bronzed and tatooed descendants of the pioneer pilots of the great canoes. Those taking part lost themselves in the inspiration of the moniont. Of all the impressions the Duke of Gloucester will carry to England that of the homage paid to him to-day assuredly will be in the forefront.

GALA SPIRIT

The gala spirit of New Zealand’s famous thermal centre had the town under its command from an early hour and long before the departure of the Royal party for Arawa Park every vantage point had been captured. It -was through a cheering throng that the Duke made his triumphant appearance on the marao entrance. The vast crowd received its first inspiration from the dashing challenge of the outrunners with piercing cries of welcome and the ngeri parerewha, the tribal representatives, received the Royal visitor. This phase was in the hands of the Arawas.

Prom the Ngati Tuwharetoas came a war dance with its stirring message of “warrior meets warrior man to man as the battle is joined.” Equally expressive was the command to valor of the Ngatiraukawa haka which followed. In vivid, telling action it exhorted tho slash of the weapon to sever the bonds restraining liberty. His tall figure, set off by the colorful uniform of the colonel of the 10th Hussars, Prince Henry slowly ascended the dais and turned to face the .assembled tribes. There was a dramatic pause. The chanting voices penetrated the silence as the first words of their National Anthem, “Kamate, Kamate,” thundered forth. Exemplifying the unity of the races was the blending of Maori and pakeha voices in tho singing of the National Anthem in English. SPIRIT OP THE MAORI

The Maori speech of welcome was enclosed in a carved franco carried by a party of Maori chiefs to the foot of the dais, accompanied by a chant with appropriate actions which formerly flourished as a song of defiance or derision. In deep resonant tones the Bishop of Aotearon, the fit. Rev. F. A. Bennett, read the Maori text, the English version being delivered by the Native Minister, the lit. Hon. 6. W. Forbes. One striking passage epitomised the spirit of New Zealand’s haeremai. It read: “Thou treasure from a fair land, thou who weareth the sacred plume and sit among the highest of the earth, thou son of Tane, welcome. Hail to His August Majesty and power of the Empire. All hail.”

The outlook of the Maori did not escape mention: are troubled in spirit, said the message in .part, “and are wondering wlmt will become of us in the, days to come in the distress of the pakeha world. When the strong peoples of the earth will master their desires over the weak ones that may lie in their path we will come then to renew that message of goodwill which Queen Victoria gave her people so that they may be assured once more that the mantle of protection which she spread over them and the heart and faith of your Maori people will be strengthened.”

COLORFUL DANCES

A colorful 'action song was the item which succeeded the Duke’s reply. Its keynote was that the march to happiness to all upon earth was along the road of love and the highway of faith. Stirring and impressive were the men’s ceremonial dance and the haka of welcome by the women of the Matatua tribe, and the haka and graceful poi of the Ngaiterangi tribe. The impression created by the Ngatituwharetoa women’s dance ot welcome and the Ruri and .men’s ceremonial dance had not faded when the Amwas’ combined items of poi, action song and haka were presented. Back were turned the pages of history while the song recalled the coming ot the Atawa canoe. . , Descending from the dais, liis. Koyal Highness passed through a quivering lane of performers before bearing the farewell chorus and “Haere Ila ’ of the natives of New Zealand. Subsequently he inspected the model Maori pa ami attended a civic reception, where a less spectacular but equally warm pakeha welcome was given.

GUARDIAN OF THE NATIVE RACE An assurance that the Empire, would remain the guardian of the native people was given by the Duke, in replying to the memorable Maori welcome at. Arawa Park. The Duke said: "Greetings to you all, The King and Queen will welcome the assurances of loyalty which I shall bear to them from their Maori people. Nearly one hundred years ago your fathers became the loyal subjects of my great grandmother, Queen Victoria, and thereafter in peace and war they staunchly upheld the Throne and Empire, and worked with their pakeha brothers for the welfare of New Zealand. You have told mo of the joy with which you regard the visits of my father and mother and of my brothers to this fair land. I bring you words of greeting from them and from the peoplo of Britain, and a renewal of tho promise evef the future brings forth tho Empire will remain your shield and guardian,

“I rejoice to learn that the representatives of your various tribes have met together in amicable intercourse on the historic site of the signing of the (treaty of Waitangi, the charter of your liberties. I hope this friendly intertribal contact may be maintained, and will help to perpetuate the pride in your ancient race and traditions, as well as your beautiful language, your music, your dancing, and your handicrafts. “I thank you for the enthusiastic and picturesque welcome, with the hakas and poi dances, with which you receive me to-day. When I leave these shores and cross the sea of Iviwa past Hawaiki, whence your fathers came, 1 shall hear away grateful memories of this day and of the warm-hearted Maori people. Fare you well.” BEAUTIES OF ROTORUA

A tribute to the beauties of Rotorua was paid by the Duke in replying at the combined pakeha and Maori welcome at the civic reception. The Duke said the loyalty of the Arnwa tribe was of long standing duration and it was demonstrated afresh in the Great War, when they took their plitco beside their brother New Zealanders and earned an equal reputation on the battlefield. “There is no place I am more glad to visit and to See than Rotorua, of whose wonders and beauties I so often heard from my brothers,” lie added. “I know that I shall go qway as louch impressed as. they were by the variety of its attractions. I wisli you all a merry Christinas and every happiness in the new year.” Old Maoris present were overjoyed with the exhibition of the haka and dance teams, who were really acting as spokesman for the crowd of natives present. All the liakas were specially adapted to honor the Prince. 'Sir Apirana Ngata, who wns not in costume, raised a loud laugh by announcing that the tJrewcra team were the last savages in New Zealand, having been tamed only since. 1000. “However,” he added, “the lender is the holder of a diploma of agriculture won at Lincoln College, showing that he has succeeded.’ ’

The Duke of Gloucester accepted from Mila Taupopoki an old-time Maori adze.