THE MAORI ENTERTAINERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9933, 1 August 1908, Page 5

THE MAORI ENTERTAINERS.

RECEPTION AT ¥HE FORESTERS'

HALL,

A PLEASING AND APPROPRIATE

FUNCTION.

The Rotorua Company of Maori Entertainers were given a very cordial welcome to Mastortou yesterday, in the form of au aftornoou ;recoptiou, hold in;the" Foresters' Hall aud arranged !b.y Mrs' r Jf*. To Tau. There was a large gathering of Maori aud Europoau guests, numberiug about a hundred, and among whom wore His Worship the Mayor (Mr P.. L. Holliugs), Very Rev. Dean McKouua, Roy. Fathor IfeUy,.a'id"Rov.s. H. Watson, A. T!' .Thompson and J. N. Butt Jo. Too visiting Natives, with their leader, Rev. F. A. Bonuett, occupied tho platform.

' The Mayor, wlio, ou behalf of fclie community, extended a hearty welcoino to R ev. Mr -, Bouuetft aud iiis company, said it was curious to find the cry of welcome to tiny part of the country being extended to representatives of the Nativo race, to whom the whole land belonged. Ho hoped that the people of Masterfcou would hold out the hand of fellowship to their Maori brethren and sisters. He did not think that tlio pakoha gave the Maoris credit for the great taleats that they possessed. We would eventually prize them, becanso every day of our lives wo learnt something of what was in the hearts of tlio Niitivos, aud some of the good things the raca had set its hand to. This mission gives the idea that they are doing something for themselves, aud helps us to realise that their talents ure worth developing and bringing out. Ho sincerely hoped that the visitors would have a "royal time"—that a mutual good fcoliug would be manifested as between the people of tlio town and the performers—aud that tlio work of the Young Maori Party would bo fully appreciated ami supported. All were indebted to Mrs Te Tau 'for the great interest sho had taken in the visit, an interest which sho always oviuces in the Maoris' welfare. She. was doing a splendid work, aud was looked up to with respect by tin whole of the Native race, as well us by the pakohas. The present function was an evidence of lier enthusiasm, and before leaving the town the visitors would be very proud of Jior efforts. The speaker concluded by giving au official welcome to the Rotorua Entertainers, aud expressing tlio hope that the} 7 would enjoy themselves as the Europeaus would enjoy their company.

Key. Mr Watson also welcomed the Natives, and hoped that they would again visit Mascerton. All alike were interested in tho welfare of tho Maori race, aud the people of Masterton wero pledged to do all in their power to mako this visit a success.

Very Rev. Dean McKeuna signified his pleasure at being present to welcome such iiuo representatives of the race, with so capable a loader as the Rev. Mr Bouuett, and to mark his sense oi: gratitude to Mrs Te Tau for tho interest sho takes at all times in work liko that with which the Native guests were associated. He trusted that their sojourn would be pleasant aud profitable.

Rev. J. N. Buttle said ho was pleased, as tlis son of au old missionary, to moot Ml , Bennett, whom ho had previously kuowu in Taranaki, aud with whose father and grandfather lie had been acquainted. Tlie speaker h'.td great sympathy with the aims oi.' the Young Maori Party, which was seeking to save the remnant of oiv- .of the most nrigniiicent Native riu-'S that had existed ou the face of me earth. Now Zealand was destined to have two races striving side by side to make a great, nation. He congratulated Mr Bennett in his new role of Maori entertainer.

Mr Katima Maaka, iv the Maori language, tendered a welcome ou belialf of tlio local Natives to their visitiug brethren, making reference to the need of unity of the- two races, and concluding with the iuvitatiou •'Hfiero mai! Haoro mai! Haere mai!" A general response of "Kia Ora," and applause, followed from the other Natives.

Hey. V. A. Bennett, in reply, stated that Ins people would probably look back ou this as a red-letter day in (■lie history of their journeyings. Apart from the welcome accorded them by tlie Prime Minister and Lady Ward, they had not been given such a pleasant and gracious reception as the present one. It was pleasing to note the unanimity of feeling .shown iv this Slithering together of pakeha and Maori, due to Mrs Tβ Ttin's organising capability. People had been good to his young enarges, and had said many flattering things about them, but lie did not think that theso attentions would turn their heads. The speaker outlined the reasons of bis company's travellings. Some four or live mouths ago. the Maoris considered ie advisable to hold a congress iv Wellington. The question of finance came up, and ho and his people, who were accustomed to giving entertainments In their native settlement, decided that they should go to Wellington and use their best endeavours to raise funds to defray the expenses of the congress. When it was remembered that 270 delegates were present as representatives of the different tribes, hapus and families, it would bo realised that a' very large sum was necessary to carry out proceedings on a proper scale. As the result of two big entertainments iv Wellington the company raised about £350, which was all handed over to finance the conference. It would be seen that the performers were not simply going round to make money—the speaker was not a showman in that sense; but the scheme would place before the pakehus some idea of the tremendous possibilities before the Young Maori Party. At the entertainments, short addresses were given ou some of the vital questions affecting the Maori race. The Party was frightened of the "colour line," and wondered if the Maoris would ever be treated by the pakeha as the Negroes were treated by the Americans. If the Natives do not rise to the occasion, they "will be in danger of being looked down on in the days to come. Their aim is to reach the same level as the pakeha, who shall be proud of his Native brethren. When the stronger comes into contact with the weaker civilisation, the weaker goes down. The Maoris were trying to assimilate, as far as possible, the change that had taken place in their surroundings, aud they looked to the pakeha as a • stronger brother. The Company's tour was proving a great financial success. In Duuediu the issue of tickets had had stopped owing to the crowding of the theatre, and iv Wellington, ou Thursday night, between 2500 and 8000 people

attended, and many had to be. turned away. Ho took this patronage as an evidence of the good feeling towards the race. In no place haa they had snch an honour as that of being welcomed by' the Mayor and' leading clergy.. Hβ expressed his'hearty appreciation of tho' occasion, which--was one that would not be forgotten for a long time. He wished "Kia Ora" to all.

Mr Tβ Wheoro, on behalf of the . Kotorua Natives, spoke in Maori, which was translated into English by ■Mr Bennett. He gave groeting to Maori and English friends. The'visitors felt very much honoured' by having had tho privilege of being wel-' coined by tho pakehas and Maoris of Mastertou., He felt, very proud of, this opportunity of meeting the members of both races—of their opportunity "of extending a welcome to the (visitors, ciud the. visitors'opportunity of replying. One roasou why they were travelling was to see if it were not possiblo to briug bbfcli races moro Closely together, ..and in this reception .he could see much closer union tliau had been shown in most other places visited. In this movement would be seen two phases—the customs, doings and life of the old Maoris, and of the new, who have assumed so many t)f» tho beliefs and aspects of pakelia civilisation. Personally, he felt very proud and grateful of the opportunity of being with the representatives of Masterfcon at a gathering which enabled all to meet together on a common platform.

The address was greeted with great applause.- '

Mrs Te Tan sang "Home, Sweet Homo," in the Maori laugnage, very sweetly, the Choir taking up tho chorus with a pleasing effect. "On the Banks of Allan Water" was rendered by the Company ; the male quartette saug "Lucky Jim"; and Miss Hogg played a pianoforte solo.

Afternoon r.ea was provided, and the remainder of the afternoon was spent in pleasant , social converse.