CREMATION INSISTED UPON, SAYS MR COATES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19117, 9 July 1930, Page 16

CREMATION INSISTED UPON, SAYS MR COATES.

LADY POMARE HAD VERY LITTLE SAY IN MATTER. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 8. “It is my opinion that the authorities insisted upon the cremation of Sir Maui Pomare's remains, and that Lady Pomare had little option in the matter,” stated Mr Coates, Leader of the Opposition, in an interview to-night. Mr Coates has written as follows to the Akarana Maori Association, and to several of the West Coast tribes, who had telegraphed to him on the matter:— “The sentiments expressed by you and supported by those present the othea* day, as reported in the Press, are understood by me, but the following information may help to clear matters. The following cablegram from Lady Pomare, dated July 1 was receiv-

cd by me on July 4: ‘Maui died suddenly on Friday, 3 p.m. Service, Saturday. Cremated. . Arranging to bring ashes back.’ “The foregoing suggests that Lady Pomare had but little option. The authorities have either insisted, or she had no power to return the remains in any other than their present form. “Sir Maui died on June 27. News was received in New Zealand at 5 p.m. on June 28. I cabled to Lady Pomare asking her, on behalf of the family, the Maori people and our party, that Sir Maui’s body be returned to New Zealand. You will realise that my cables did not reach their destination until some time after the ceremony. I ask you to consider all the circumstances and to make the burden as light as you can for our sister. Lady Pomare.”