MR. FRASER WELCOMED AT MAORI SCHOOL

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 November 1949, Page 6

MR. FRASER WELCOMED AT MAORI SCHOOL

ROTORUA. Last Night (PA).—A Maori welcome was accorded the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) when he visited Rotokawa Maori school this afternoon to open the school dental clinic and tennis courts. After speeches of welcome Mr Fraser was presented with a carved lamp stand by one of the pupils, who apparently forgot her lines and handed the gift over amid tears. Mr. Fraser left his seat, and, with his arm round the child’s shoulders, endeavoured to console her. The next presentation was a carved paper knife presented by a very small lad who divulged the information that, it. was "from the primers.” Another Maori lad presented Mr. Fraser with the key of the dental clinic. “I was very foolish as a boy,” said the Prime Minister, speaking to the children. “I would not listen to the advice of my parents that I should look after my teeth. The result was that I began to lose my teeth when very young.” Mr. Fraser touched on the shortage of young women who could be trained as dental nurses, attributing this to the depression period, when the birth rate was very low. The dedication ceremony for the clinic was performed by the Rev. T. W. Fraser and the Prime Minister then opened the building. He then hit the first ball on the new tennis court. Perhaps the most acceptable feature of the afternoon to the children was Mr. Fraser’s announcement that they could have a holiday on one day next week to mark his visit. Mr Fraser gave an address in Rotorua tonight.