The waiata following Mr Pera's welcome. sonal. You can stand the test throughout the world. We heartily congratulate you. Throughout your term of duty, and when its ends, we wish that God will guide you, protect you, and prosper you and your family.’ Mr Arnold Reedy also congratulated the ‘first New Zealander’ to represent the Queen in New Zealand, and said, ‘We cannot overemphasize that issue—loyalty—too much.’ Speaking of the Ringatu Centenary and its founder he said that Te Kooti Rikirangi had been regarded as a bloodthirsty rebel, responsible for the Poverty Bay massacre and others, but that he had been denied the right of a fair trial and had been bundled away to the Chathams as a slave. He had indeed been a prophet, as his words in his surrender to Col. Porter—‘we will now live in peace and tranquility, and these islands will not be invaded by an enemy force’—had proved to be true. Mr Reedy continued that for the next century, it was the duty of the Ringatu Church to forget the past and its injustices, and to try to remove the bellicosity that once was part of the church. The Member of Parliament for Eastern Maori, Mr P. Reweti, joined in expressing a warm welcome and thanks to Their Excellencies. He spoke of the Ringatu Church being based on a Christian philosophy and founded by an unusual and controversial man who through trials and tribulations found solace and sanctity in the Word of our Lord. The occasion was marked by three important things, 100 years since the Maori translation of the Bible, the centenary of the Ringatu Church, and the appointment as Governor-General of a man born within the shores of our country. Mr H. Barker then welcomed the visitors ‘to this district, where perhaps more than in any other district, Maori and Pakeha work together and when necessary fight together, maintaining arts, culture and traditions.’ The last speech of welcome was from Mr Ngakohu Pera, an elder from Waioeka who expressed his gratitude that Sir Arthur had found time to visit the marae for the centenary. He said, ‘We see you, we see all those dignitaries lined up behind you and those you have brought. We thank you for the honour. Also, it is a wonderful thing for a man of my age and upbringing to see you honoured. We congratulate you.’ In his reply, Sir Arthur said that to be present at the anniversary of an essentially New Zealand religion was a privilege and an honour. He said, ‘My father and your religion were born, both in New Zealand, at the same time. ‘How much has happened in those hundred years! The face of the world then is unrecognisable today—and today's face, despite all the wonders and advantages of rapid transport, scientific and technological discovery, and improved facilities for everyday life, has a somewhat hard and material look. ‘And yet the people behind that face are very much the same as people were a cen- continued on page 51 An action song from the Waihirere group.