LOYAL WAIPUKURAU

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 98, 12 May 1937, Page 6

LOYAL WAIPUKURAU

Big Crowd Demonstrates Its Allegiance BINDING LINK OF CROWN Loyalty was the key-note of the Coronation celebrations held at Waipukurau this morning, when people from the borough and outlying parts of the distriet assembled in front of -the gaily-decorat-ed Po>st Office to show their allegiance to the Crown. This ceremony had one unique aspect in that the time of its commencement was earlier than that of any other part of the Dominion. Various organisations were represented, ineluding the school-children, representatives of the Wellington,, and Eaat Coast Mounted Rifles, returned soldiers, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Maoris and the Waipukurau and Waipawa BrasS Bands. The speakers were the Mayor of Waipukurau, Mr I. W. N. Mackie, Mr H. M. Christie, M.P., and Mr Tipene Matua, chieftain of the Porangahau Maoris, whose address was translated - by Mr George Kuru, also of Porangahau. The town was gaily decorated for the celebrations, which were held in bright sunshine. A short service was held, the Rev. W. R. Hutchison reading the lesson and Canon E. D. Rice leading the prayers for the King and Queen and the British Empire as a whole. The school children of Waipukurau were not forgotten. They listened to an address earlier this morning by Mr Christie, and then the chairman of the sehool committec, Mr C. F. Haycock, planted a tree at the school to mark the ' occasion. A children 's sports meeting ■ was held later to-day, flags and sweets being freely distributed. Special arrangements were made by tbe Waipawa Hospital Board so that patients at ■ the Pukeora Sanatorium and at the Waipukurau Hospital could celebrate the Coronation in a suitable manner. The whole event was extremely well organised and was condueted most suceessfullyv Maoris' Loyalty _

"It is because of the love our forefathers "bore to Queen Victoria that' we are here to do , honour to the present rulers, the third in succession since the days of our Great White Queen. Let us always do this same honour to our present King George and Queen Elizabeth. Should we not throw aside caste and creed to unity in common loyalty? Is not that the'greatest token of loyalty tliat we can show? May the reign of George and Elizabeth be a long and happy one." Thus spoke Mr Tipene Matua, chieftain of "Porangahau Maoris. He gave his assuranee that the Maori people. would always remain true and loyal to the British Crown. • "On this occasion the Maori mind drifts back to -the days when first our people met your forefathers, " said Mr Matua, "and we, their descendants, are gathered together to eo-operate in the celebration of the Cordnation of tho King and Queen — the descendants of our beloved Queen Vietoria. The loyalty that our forefathers had for Queen Victoria still dwells in our hearts. 4 4 There was a time when our people fought with the Pakeha, but, having fought later for the Empire, we Maoris now look upon that early strife merely as a family squabble. ' ' Mr Matua had a word to say about the children. "If we can teaeh the little ones to show that same love and loyalty that we grown-up people show, then we shall have aecomplished something," he said. 4 4 Let them always love and respect the British Crown and fully understand all that it means m this far-away outpost of the Empire. It is right too that we should thank Almighty God for giving us this opportunity of showing our loyalty to our beloved and much-respected rulers." Mr Christie 's Speech That by showing love and respect for the King and Queen the people of New Zealand were strengthening the link between the Crown and the people of the British Empire was the message given by Mr H. M. Christie, M.P. He spoke of the sterling qualities of King George VI and0 Queen Elizabeth, and thought that the Empire should ' be proud to have such admirable rulers. 4 4 Since the days of Queen Victoria nearly 50 years ago," he said, "there have been many marked changes in the relationships between the Crown and the people. Queen Victoria rather resented changes in politics, and was inclined to interfere, but witb the aecession of Edward VII much of that feeling was swept away. We know that he was looked upon as a gay monarch, but he did much to foster thte good relations between the British Empire and other nations. From his reign onwards the good feeling between the Crown and the people showed a marked improvement." Mr Christie said that the sympathy of King George V. and Queen Mary to their subjects during times of distress had endeared them to evcryone. Then he made reference to tho abdication of Edward VIH. "It was gnerally believed that King Edward found irksome the dulies of the Crown, but nevertheless ho showed loyalty and enthusiasm in liis kingship," added Mr Christie. "Althougli the idol of the crowd and beloved of his people, he nevertheless desired to bend to oue who was not acccptable lo tho Empire, and he had to abdieate. Every one who listeued to his inanly speeeh cannot out admire him for 1m«s wnr/ta His was a truly royal speecli, and a manly request. to tlie Empire. 4 4 To-day we have a King who is truly British and a Queen of Scottish descent. The. Crown to-day has beconie more important than ever, and we have sometbing which constitutes a direcl link between the people of tho Empire and England herse.lt'. Both the King and Queen have a very deep understanding of the people. They have earned not only our love but also our respect, which is even greater so far as Royalty is coneented. "We are confident that they will carry out their duties to the best benefit of the F.mpire as a whole. God bless the King! God bless the King! "