Rushing Royal Party Round The Country

Chronicle (Levin), 21 October 1948, Page 10

Rushing Royal Party Round The Country

^ WELLINGTON, Oct. 20,. Coiuplaints that the time allowed for Maori receptions during the Royal tour was inadequate, were made by Maori delegates from various districts at , a meeting of the' Maori Advisory Council of the National Party field at Wellington today. Mr. D. Kingi (Rotorua) said that' instead, of the previous practice during Jttoyal tours of having one big Maori reeeption at Rotorua, there were to be five diflerent events scattered, throughout the country. So far as Rotorua was coneerned, they had been told that the gathering there was to last oue hour and if possible less. The time set, apart for the actual Mauri performance, was 48 minutes and as there were three distinct tribal identities to be represented, that would provide for just 16 minutes for eaeh. "I think it ridiculous, " said Mr. Kingi. Mr. T. Carrroll (East Coast) said there was a feeling in his district that the time provided was inadequate and almost farcical if, the Maoris were to pay proper homage to their Majesties, but the arrangement had been accepted and apparently there was no redress. Mr. G. de Thierry (Ngaruawahia) said the Royal party was to have 1 hour 40 minutes at Ngaruawahia in which time they were to have luneh and see the regatta. In Christchurch, said Mr. V. (L M. Thomas, he believed only 35 minutes was being. allowed for the reeeption by the South Tsland Maoris and if that was so he felt that they were entitled to make an emphatic protest.