VAST PAEAN OF PRAISE

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1930, Page 7

VAST PAEAN OF PRAISE

TRIBUTES TO LATE SIR MAUI . LOSS OF GREAT MAN DEPLORED. PARLIAMENTARIANS PAY. HOMAGE. 'Maoris and pahekas, native visitors from every part of the North Island and Parliamentarians from various parts of I both islands, leaders of the House of ReI presentatives, the Leader of the Legis--1 lative Council, and in fact every shade of political opinion contributed a wealth of sympathy and appreciation to the family of the late Sir Maui Pomare at Waitara yesterday. Most of the speeches were in Maori, untranslated and unintelligible to the majority of the Europeans. Some were given in English and translated into Maori by interpreters. And in some cases speakers gave alternative versions in Maori and English. Altogether about four hours were absorbed in the expression of this vast tribute, and there were still many more speakers who would have contributed their quota of oratory had time perhiitted.

The Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister of Native Affairs, commenced in the

English, tongue by welcoming Mr. Coates and the other members of the Parliamentary party. As far as possible, he said, the Native custom would be complied with in the obsequies attendant upon the burial of Sir Maui Pomare. Although the speaker was Native Minister in the present Government he would rather not be regarded in that light. All were gathered to pay respect to the [memory of Sir Maui Pomare irrespective iof party. MAORI ETIQUETTE. According to the Maori etiquette the widow of the late Sir Maui Pomare, apart from Lady Pomare, was his political chief Mr. Coates, and the speaker would concede to him the premier position jn the day’s ceremony. As for himself, he would rather be regarded simply as the representative of the East Coast. Sir Apirana proceeded to address the gathering most eloquently in the Maori tongue, interposing on two occasions a long sustained chant of farewell. Several other members of the Parliamentary Party addressed the assemblage in terms of regret at the death of their friend, their remarks, with the exception of those of Mr. K. S. Williams (Bay of Plenty), who spoke in the - Native tongue, being translated by interpreters. "I am sorry for the cause that brings us to your courtyard and to the courtyard of the ancestors of a man who stands in high repute amongst both pakeha and Maori from the North Cape

to the Bluff," said the Hon. J. G. Coates, Leader of the Opposition. Few men, ho continued, had done more than Sir Maui to bring about a sympathetic feeling of understanding between the Maori people of New Zealand and the pakeha. Few men had done more to stay the surging feeling of discontent and distrust that was clouding the Maori people, or smoothed out the way for a better feeling between the two races. Yesterday it was more personal regard to his memory than any political motive that brought members of every party in the House from all. over New Zealand to attend the final laying to rest of Sir Maui’s ashes. They .wished to pay tribute, not only to 'Sir Maui’s political worth but to .the personal esteem and regard in which he was held. Sir Apirana Ngata in his usual courteous manner effaced; himself in order that Sir Maui’s political friends could bo heard, but the speaker would like his hearers to know that it was only through Sir Apirana’s thoughtfulness, organisation and arrangements that it was possible for him to be there yesterday. He was grateful to Sir Apirana for his work on behalf of all the members of the Parliamentary party. WORK NOT CONFINED TO MAORIS. Mr. Coates reminded the gathering that Sir Maui’s work was riot confined to the Maori people. He had had th? happy gift of being able to wo’.k for both races without favour and wholeheartedly for the good of the nation as a whole. He need only mention his work for the health of the Maori race and for the lepers not only of New Zealand, his fathering of the Cook Islands group, his work for Samoa in getting old grievances cleared up, and his labour on behalf of the pakeha’s' in hospitals.' AH the visitors could realise the grief of the Taranaki people at their loss. “Truly one df the props of the tent has been struck from under," said Mr. Coates in conclusion. He need only remind the Taranaki people of the WestCoast settlement" reserves for them to' realise how near home came the work of their departed friend. He went on to express his deepest sympathy with Lady Pomare and her family. He could only refer with gratitude to the fact that Lady Pomare should return to Taranaki with the ashes of her husbdnd, and be with them yesterday. Personally he felt that in Sir Maui’s death he had lost a brother,. Since the Great War the Native representation in Parliament had become welded together and. party differences had been sunk in’ the interests of the Empire and the Maori people. Pre-, sent ,at the gathering . were Sir Apirana Ngata and Mr. Tau Henare. Let them all.'hope that there would be rio looking back, and that the' Maori face’ would take its true place in the nation. TRIBUTES FROM PARLIAMENT. The Hon. S. G. Smith, Ministe* of Labour and member for the district, said he was present not only as a representative of the Crown but aljo as a friend, of Sir Maui Poinare. He mourned with the Native race the loss of a friend, a great leader and a clever statesman. Whilo in the House with Sir Maui he had always endeavoured to assist him in furthering the interests of the Maori people. Mr. Coartes had told them of the work of Sir Maui and it was for the Maori people themselves to see that they

joined forces until the work begun by their leader had been completed. Tha white people were with the Native race in extending to Lady Pomare and her family the deepest sympathy. ' Ha thanked the Maori people for their hospitality and hoped that he'would always to. able *to return to them as their friend. • • - ■ ‘

The Hon. R, Masters, Stratford, acting lea’der of the Legislative Council/said, the gathering impressed him f with the devotion and love which it showed in the memory of the late leader. As the representative of the Legislative Council he extended to Lady Pomare and family the Council’s very deepest sympathy. It had been his pleasure to sit.with; Sir, . Maui Pomare in the lower House. He well knew his feelings regarding- the loyalty of people towards New Zealand and the Empire. Mr. Smith had advised them to stick; togeti-er, and it was well known that if there was one thing the white people could learn from the Maori it was in their combined work,' Although they had differences, their work had one object—the good of their people. He asked the young-. Maoris present; to emulate the example of,Sir Maui. If that was done it would be for their own good and for the good of their. people. In conclusion Mr. Masters expressed his heart-felt sympathy with Lady Pomare . and family in their bereavement. ‘ THE VOICE OF . LABOUR. - Air. J. R. AlcCbmbs (Lyttelton), representative of the Labour Party, Said, he had come to mourn with the Alaoris the loss of a distinguished statesman. ■' In his youth Sir Alaui Pomare had been full of ideals and had studied medicine and hygiene in New Zealand and .abroad in order to help his people in the ways he had dreamt of in the ideals of his youth. Returning to New Zealand he placed at the disposal of his people the wisdom he had gained in gteat schools of learning. He joined with the previous speaker in advising the .young Maoris r present and throughout New Zealand to follow the example of Dr. Pomare. ■ . Ninteen. years ago Sir Alaui Pomare liad entered the House and there had never been a. riiore fearless speaker in the cause of the MaorL race. •As a Parliamentarian he had won the respect of every member. The speaker had > known him for 17 years and joined with the. Maori people in mourning the loss. His work had extended far beyond the shores of New Zealand. Judge Jones, Under Secretary of the x Native Department, recalled tlie fact that it was at the Manukorihi Pa in June of 1878 that Governor George Grey arid the Whiti Rangitaki (Wiremu ; Kingi) had had the memorable discussion that ended the war and secured , a peace Between the two races that had held to this day. Grey then said that he had such faith in the friendship ,of. the Alaoris that he would have been willing to face a foe with a regiment of Alaoris behind him. Britain later had. need of Maori regiments, and in the dark days of the war of , 1914-18 many faithful Alaori warriors, had laid down their/; lives. . '■ ,' ... . The judge extended to Lady ’Pomaro and tk x family his deepest • sympathy. “The. old Totara of the forest • has fallen, ’’ ho said, ! ‘/but we ' hope that young saplings will grow to maturity . in its place —that from ariiong the young men here will spring up leaders to talce his place at the head of the Maori people.” - ' ' '' • ‘ - Other speakers included Afcssrs.' Tai Mitchell of Rotorua, Ruru of Gisborne, Te Henare representing- Northern 'Maori,' T. Makitanara'repr'eseriting Southern Alaori, . Tama Kawe of Te Kuiti, t>. Ellison, of Hawke’s Bay, and Kirori Tekonawa of To Kuiti. ’'’ ’j ... , ’ . Many more speakers from among th© . Maori people spoke in their native tongue, as did Mr. K. S. Williams (Bay of Plenty), who maintained an |iribroken flow of Maori for' over flvejthin- -■ utes. . ■ ; '