NEW ZEALANDERS’ RECEPTION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 September 1924, Page 7

NEW ZEALANDERS’ RECEPTION.

MAORIS PRESENTED TO HER

HIGHNESS.

There were more than 200 acceptances to the invitations sent out by Sir James Allen for his reception at the New Zealand Pavilion on “New Zealand Day.” Undoubtedly well over 2000 people were actually present. The num_ her of invitations issued was over 4000. For a week or more there had been a spell of the best summer weather. This, however, broke on the morning of New Zealand_ Day, but the intermittent showers were not enough to deter many people from their purpose of participating in the special Dominion meetings and festivities. A good proportion of those who attended had been present previously at the New Zealand concert in the Conference Hall of the Exhibition. and many had attended the conference in the morning. Others came specially for the reception. On the lavvn opposite the left wing of the pavilion a very large marquee had been erected. A covered way led to the verandah that runs the length. of the Assembly Rooms. Along one side of the marquee was a buffet set for afternoon tea. The whole of the opposite side was open,, so that a section of the lawn, was thus cut off entirely from the public outside. Another smaller tent, open at one side, was arranged with tables for Sir James and Lady Allen, her Highness Princess Helena Victoria, and a number of special guests. The secondary industries court was closed to the general public during the time of the reception. Guests passed in the main entrance and through the secondary industries I court, and so into the panelled As- | sembly Room, where they were received !by the High Commissioner. They then made their way through to the lawn. The Assembly Room was decorated with pink and white roses, and in the centre of the room was a fine tree fern, whose fronds spread well over the heads of the visitors. Inside the tent there were decorations of flowers and pot plants. Among the High Commissioner’s guests were the party of Maoris who are visiting England. Ratana was among them, but his identity was not disclosed to anyone. The Maoris had promised to perform some hakas and poi dances, and these were greatly enjoyed by the Princess and other guests. All the young girls were tastefully dressed in a uniform costume—a blue sports coat and blue skirt with a speckled straw hat. The men were uniform to the extent of wearing straw hats with red and black colours, with the fern leaf and the letters “N.Z.” in front. For the poi dances each of the 12 girls wore a dancing kilt (piupiu) over their cloth costumes, and danced to the accompaniment of music provided by a violin, guitar, a Hawaiian instrument, and a concertina. They gave several dances for the benefit of different sections of the guests, and 10 of the men gave several hakas, which were done with great spirit and energy, despite the handicap of European clothes.

The general dignity and aloofness of these Maori visitors is very striking. If they are here to demonstrate the dignity and independence of their race they could not- do better. In passing to the New Zealand pavilion and back to the station photographers and interviewers were eager to know something about them or to take a photograph of them. They, evade publicity of any kind, however, with refusal, courteous but firm. .Even in the privacy of the New Zealand grounds cameramen were warned not to attempt to snap them. They keep almost entirely to themselves and information that might possibly be used for publication is strictly forbidden. Mr, T. P. Moko (Mr. T. W. Ratana’s private secretary) deals with all inqturies from pressmen and gives them nothing more than is absolutely necessary.

An hour after the large company of guests had assembled the Aveather cleared completely and the evening was most pleasant. New Zealanders from every part ■.of the Dominion found a great pleasure in being among so many of their own countrymen. It was not until well on toAvards 7 o’clock that the guests began to melt aAvay, but many of them found the comfort of the Assembly Room ahd the pleasant surrounding, attractions, which kept them at the PaA r ilion until toAvards closing time. During the afternoon and evening the guests were able to Avitness an exhibition of the films in the Cinematograph Hall, and the Maori party found a great deal of amusement in the film depicting Maori life. An interesting ceremony took place before Princess Helena Victoria left. The chief Eketone, Mrs. Ratana and her two daughters, Mr. Peter Moko, and another member of the party Avere presented to her Highness. The Princess: had a brief conversation with each one.

Sir James Allen and Lady Allen met the Maori party privately in the Maori Housed and the High Commissioner expressed his thanks to them for their kindness in performing for the benefit of the guests. The chief Eketone replied irTTflaori and gave a. very characteristic and excellent speech. In the translation by Mr. P. Moko the statements were considerably . curtailed. What emerged into English, hoAveA r er. was an expression of appreciation of the honour they had received in being presented to her Highness the Princess. Cn behalf of Mrs. Ratana. the chief, presented to Lady Allen a piu-piu (dancing kilt), which they desire should' be shown in the Maori House until the end of the Exhibition. Incidentally it was mentioned that the party were much disappointed by the Avav in which the Maori race had been represented bv the exhibits shown in Mata-Atua.