TUMULTUOUS WELCOME FOR SIR PETER BUCK AND PARTY OF SCIENTISTS AT RUATOKI

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 53, 14 February 1949, Page 5

TUMULTUOUS WELCOME FOR SIR PETER BUCK AND PARTY OF SCIENTISTS AT RUATOKI

Looking tired after his trip from Rotorua, the well known : anthropologist, Sir Peter Buck, paid a short visit to Ruai toki on Friday. He was accompanied by his wife and about 30 scientists, who are attendin g the Pacific Science Congress now being held in New Zealand. The visitors were accorded a tumultuous welcome in traditional Maori style, with an attendance of Maori and Pakeha from all over the district.

Pleased to be back in his native country again and amongst his own people, Sir Peter spent his time renewing old acquaintances and chatting to the local Maoris. Speaking with a slight American accent he was easy to approach and conversed in either 'Maori or English with ease. To the Maoris he was “Te Rangihiroa,” and during his long sojourn in the United States he had obviously not forgotten Maori customs. Lady Buck was only able to move about with the aid of crutches, the ■result of a recent accident, when ■she broke a hip. Arriving at about 12.70 p.m. the party was challenged at the entrance to the marae by a piu-piu-clad warrior. The challenge met and the visit established as being friendly, the party advanced while the warrior retreated slowly. At this the haka party in the background broke into a stirring haka completing the challenge. After the welcome Sir Peter and Xady Buck returned to rest over the week-end at Rotorua. Sir Peter had an operation about three months ago and that still requires him to surest often. From Rotorua he will proceed to Wellington and thence to ’Christchurch, where the second sessions of the Congress will recommence next week. The remainder of the party travelled on to Opotiki Friday and were then to continue on down the "East Coast, arriving eventually in Wellington. Before the welcome speeches pupils of the three Ruatoki schools, presented a fine selection of action songs, which were described by one scientist as being the best he had yet heard in this country. Near The Gods Paying a tribute to Sir Peter’s work and biding him welcome to his mother land, the paramount chief of the Tuhoe tribe, Takarua Tamarau, opened the speeches. He referred to 'the fact that Sir Peter had been 'dose to the Gods in his studies and they had now brought him to his . own country again. The chief also welcomed the other scientists to 'Ruatoki. Another chief, Mr William Train--or, added to the welcome. “You have been "away from New Zealand for a long time and today we are privileged to welcome you home again with your friends,” he said. • On behalf of the - Pakeha of the ■district a welcome was extended by Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., who .referred to the friendly feeling that existed in New Zealand between Maori and Pakeha. “We have watched your work ■overseas, Sir Peter,” he said, “and whether we be Maori or Pakeha we are, .as New Zealanders, very proud of you.” Whakatane Welcome A welcome from the people of Whakatane and the surrounding district was made by Mr B. S. Barry, mayor of Whakatane. He said that Sir Peter had brought honour, not only to the Maori, but also to New Zealand as a whole. He was • sorry his visit was only to be temporary. “Although Maoris claim you I think we Pakeha can also claim a half share in you,” remarked Mr J. L. Burnett, chairman of the Whakatane County Council. “You have done great work and my regret is that you are not. going to remain with us. “You have ventured into a district where Pakeha culture has not yet advanced,” said Mr A. O. Stewart, representing the Maoris of Whakatane and Te Teko. “We welcome you here, but would like to see you remain.” Other speeches were made by Messrs A. Prince, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Opouriao Dairy Factory, and Mr *W. Prince, a pakeha resident of the district. After the welcome the , visitors were entertained to dinner cooked in the Maori style.

Should Not Be Any Distinction Of Colour In N.Z.

“I have an advantage over many people because I have both Maori -and Pakeha blood, which enables me to see both sides of the argument,” said Sir Peter Buck, replying to the speeches of welcome by

Tuhoe Maoris at Ruatoki on Friday. “I am proud of my Maori blood,” he continued. “I think that all Maoris should be proud of their race. They have nothing to be ashamed of. “In New Zealand there should not be any distinction of colour, as we are one race, New Zealanders.” Sir Peter said that it was thought that Maori and Pakeha originally came from Caucasian stock. Therefore they were related, although distantly. In the past there had been many grievances because the Maori did not understand,. Now he was beginning to go ahead, because he was beginning to understand and so was able to overcome his problems. One People “In the future,” Sir Peter continued, “New Zealanders will not be of two different races. They I will be one stock, one people. They will be New Zealanders only, both Maori and Pakeha.” Sir Peter thanked the people for their welcome and said he was pleased to see that the Pakeha had been included. It showed that both Maori and Pakeha were working together. While his visit was only a short one it had been with the greatest of pleasure that he had returned to his native land. Other speakers representing the U.S.A., Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Great Britain also replied to the welcome.