A MAORI TALKS ON SCOTSMEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18587, 12 October 1928, Page 8

A MAORI TALKS ON SCOTSMEN.

VETERAN CHIEF TRACES POINTS IN COMMON. Per Press Association, ROTORUA, October 11. Lord Lovai and party, who arrived at Rotorua last night, were entertained by the natives today. Mita Taupopaki, the veteran chief of the Arawas, was in happy vein in extending a cordial welcome to the distinguished visitor. He reminded Lord Lovat that, although he hailed from Scotland, he was not the first or even the second Scotchman to come to New Zealand. A great number had preceded him, Mita said, and amongst this fine race the Maoris had many staunch and true friends. He hoped that more people would find their way to this country. The Maoris had a few more acres ieft, and they would be glad to give some of them to settle Scotchmen on. The Maoris were on the “ platform of departure to the unknown realms of night," and nothing would be more pleasant to them than to know that this beautiful land, discovered by them more then twenty generations ago, would house men and women of good British stock. “ Lord Lovat," continued Mita, “will find his countrymen in every place he visits in New Zealand, and he will also notice the emblems of Scotland, the Scotch thistle, in evidence everywhere, which of course is only to be expected. Not many years ago the Government seriously considered the question of putting the Scotch thistle in the same class as the Californian thistle and the blackberry, but there were too many patriotic Scotch influences in the Cabinet. The thistle was saved from ignominious destruction, and to-day it is prized as the storehouse for the luscious grass, which grows in safety under its protecting leaves for winter time, when that commodity is scarce. Surely one of the virtues of your race is provision for a rainy day, but, I regret to say, not of mine, so there you are, my lord. Anything with Scotch is good— Scotchmen, Scotch thistle and Scotch something else, particularly the last, in this cold and wintry weather.” Mita continued: “I can trace many things in common between you and me —the kilt and the pui pui, the tribe and the clan, hospitality, loyalty, pride °£. ra ce, love of our women folk and children—and sharing these things, can you wonder that our respect, goodand affection are yours ? “ Will you please convey to his Majesty, the King (to me) not of the British Empire but of the world, and his Roy* house, our fealty and aroha. We wish you and your mission every success. May your visit add further lustre in justification of the claims that where British institutions live, based as they are on Christian ideals, life is safe, life is good, life is happy, and freedom without license is the treasure of all. Farewell.”

Lord Lovat, in thanking Mita for his cordial welcome, stated that the Maoris of New Zealand held the admiration of the British for their courage on land and sea and the feat of discovering Ao tea-roa in their frail crafts over great spaces of the trackless ocean. That performance would always have a high place in history. The part their sons took in the late war touched chords of hereditary courage and sacrifice for the great ideals of life which they gallantly fought for on Gallipoli and on the plains of Flanders. He thanked the performers for their very fine entertainment, which he and his party had immensely enjoyed. He wished all continued health and happiness. The party left this morning, after a visit to Whaka, for Waitapu, where the Government plantations will be inspected. Thence they will go to Wairakei and Napier.