MAORI DELEGATION ON VISIT TO RAROTONGA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19075, 21 May 1930, Page 6

MAORI DELEGATION ON VISIT TO RAROTONGA.

Per Press Association WELLINGTON, May 20. " It’s like Japhet in search of his father," said a Maori, commenting on the departure to-day lor Rarotonga of the Maori delegation whose members hope to discover traces of their forbears who remained at the Cook Islands during the migration from II awaiki. There was a quite lively scene on the Taranaki Street wharf, as many of the friends and relatives of the delegates came to Wellington to see them off and wish them bon voyage. Among these were Chief Judge Jones (of the Maori Land Court). Judge Rawson, some of the staff of the Native Department and a contingent of Maoris from all parts of the country, who are just as interested in the result of the mission as the delegates themselves. It was the intention of the Hon Sir Apirana Ngata to head the delegation to- Rarotonga, but political developments changed his plans. He, however, sent two of his young sons to visit their relatives in the Cook group. Sir Maui Pomare was also a passenger by the Makura, but is not concerned with the delegation, although very much interested in its objective. He is seriously ill, and, having been ordered to seek a more genial climate for the winter than is offered in New Zealand, he left to-day for San Francisco, en route for Los Angeles, where he will probably stay until October or Novem-