Contribution to Racial Harmony

Te Ao Hou, September 1964, Page 35

Contribution to Racial Harmony It is greatly to be hoped that the Waikato. Pakeha and Maori, as a whole realizes what it owes in terms of racial harmony to this quiet, sincere thoughtful man. I feel that a lesser man on this occasion might well have chosen not without justification, sharp and bitter words and would probably not have lent his support to the Rangiriri commemoration. Those who chose to, co-operated wholeheartedly with their Pakeha friends. Those who were not of a mind to, held their peace. I was happy to see that his views received adequate publicity. Rangiriri was commemorated, it seemed to me, with perhaps a bit more pageantry than was necessary but with the utmost sincerity. I heard but could not see for sudden tears Pei Te Hurinui, standing within the once

blood-soaked little fort and welcoming soldiers of the 20th century. ‘I te rau tau o Rangiriri, na te kupu o to tatou ariki Te Kingi, e tu ai au i te wahi i heke ai te toto …’ I remember Major R. Whiteman, commanding the Waikato Squadron, standing to attention after picking up the sprig of leaves laid before him in the wero, a token that he came in peace. I remember the choir of St Faith's, Ohinemutu, singing like earthbound angels ‘Tama Ngakau Marie’. I remember fresh wreaths and garlands of flowers placed on each grave by school children and I remember how in each there were entwined blossoms and leaves of both England and New Zealand. I remember how a present sadness deepened the poignancy of the century-old for that day President Kennedy had fallen to the bullet of an assassin. ‘Let us at this time pray especially for the United States of America. May God guide and bless and comfort the people of the United States of America in their time of tragedy,’ said the Rev. Manu Bennett. As I had hoped there was the sorrow and there was the pride but of the anger—not a trace. And the amusement I had felt seemed too petty to remember.