SPIRIT OF WAITANGI.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20222, 5 February 1934, Page 8

SPIRIT OF WAITANGI.

Singing Girls and Haka Parties. WELCOME TO MR FORBES. (Special to the “ Star.”) WAITANGI, February 5. Garbed in the warrior costume cf his ancestors, and surrounded bv a thousand primitive “ savages,” Sir Apirana Ngata addressed to Parliamentarians assembley at Waitangi to-day a message brief in context, yet pregnant with meaning. Eight thousand people had witnessed the first part of the ceremonial welcome to Mr Forbes and his party, and were waiting for the speeches of welcome. There were none. Waving his mere, the Minister of Native Affairs commanded silence, and, addressing the pakeha and native alike, said; “ There will be no speeches of welcome from the Maori to the Parliamentary party to-day. What you have just seen typifies the Maori speech of welcome. This”—sweeping an arm to encompass the assembled singing girls and haka parties—“ is spirit of Waitangi. It may be misunderstood, but the Maoris of New Zealand would like to retain some of their culture. and let the Parliament of to-day itself realise what it is. There are plenty of pakehas in New Zealand. I think the people of New Zealand would regret it if they lost their Maoris, and the best of their culture. (Loud applause.) We welcome you.” The weather held fine and the ceremonies provided a form of pageantry rarely seen in New Zealand. The Ministerial party were amazed by the brilliancy of the demonstration. Pakeha Regard for Natives. In responding to the welcome on behalf of Government, Mr Forbes said that Parliament wished to do everything possible to assist the Maori in the development of his land, to enable him to take his part along with the pakeha and to face the conditions of the future. The gathering to-day, at which Europeans were present from all parts of New Zealand to do honour to the native race, exemplified the character of the friendship that the pakeha held for the native. “ You have our utmost goodwill, and you can rely on us to do all we can to help you to become prosperous citizens,” added Mr Forbes. Mr Forbes agreed that the welcome extended was a most effective form of greeting, and expressed agreement that such culture and traditions should be retained . He complimented Sir Apirana Xgata on the high standard of the demonstration. The Rt lion J. G. Coates referred to the unity and co-operation which had been achieved under the Treaty of Waitangi and to the efforts the Government was making *to advance the cause of. both sections of its people. He agreed that in the evolutionary process, the native should not lose his culture and tradition. It was the duty of the pakeha to help him to win back to agriculture, for which purpose land would have to be provided if the Maoris themselves did not possess sufficient. “ Let us preserve our country, and go forward hand in hand,” he added. .(A report of the Governor-General’s speoch appears on Page 6.)