SOUTH SEA SOLDIERS.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2587, 8 October 1915, Page 2

SOUTH SEA SOLDIERS

A WELCOME IN PARLIAMENT. There was a novel and pleasant ceremony performed in Parliament yesterday morning, namely the welcome of forty-five Natives of the South Sea Islands (mainly Rarotongans), who have come to join the Maori Reinforcements in order that they may take a part in fighting for the Empire. These new recruits attracted a considerable amount of attention in town as they marched to the House of Representatives, singingnative songs in a very melodious manner. On arrival in the Legislative Chamber they were addressed by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. Allen), through the medium of an interpreter. Mr. Allen, in welcoming them, said that they came not only from Rarotonga, but from several of the Cook Islands, and as far afield as Tahiti. They came to join hands with their Maori brothers, and would go into camp at Auckland, to prepare to fight alongside the Maori and the pakeha for the flag which represented freedom to them and to us. The Islanders followed the address by singing, in excellent English, the ditty "Here We Are! Here We Are! Here We Are Again!" much to the delight of members of Parliament. Messrs. A. T. Ngata, C. Parata, and Tau Henare addressed the recruits in Maori, and the Natives then danced a haka with great enthusiasm. The Speaker (Mr. F. W. Lang) extended a welcome to the visitors, and said that he felt very much the honour conferred upon him in being able to extend, on behalf of the members of Parliament, a very hearty welcome. We were proud of the way in which all parts of the Empire had come forward to aid the Old Country in her hour of need. Those who had gone to the front had distinguished themselves, and all felt certain that the Islanders would also distinguish themselves in like manner. He hoped that they would come back safely from the front, in order to return to their own country. Pakeha and Native alike joined in singing "God Save the King," and the Natives also sang "Tipperary" in their own language, and the ceremony concluded with several rounds of patriotic cheers. The party arrived in Wellington by the Moana yesterday, in charge of Police-Sergeant J. Nash. They left for Auckland by the Main Trunk express last night.