TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1922, Page 1

TELEGRAMS

[by TELEOltAna—earn r UESS ASSOCIATION;

PRIME MINISTER AT WAITANGI

RUSSELL, March 29. A very large gathering of natives and Europeans assemlbed at Waitangi to-day for the purpose of opening a native roll of honour The Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Massey) and Dr Pomare (Native Minister) were welcomed in the truly native fashion both by hakas and speeches by the native chief. The occasion is a very historical one and expressions of loyalty were frequent. After the huge assembly had feasted:, the opening of a Memorial Hall, eloso to the Waitangi monument was performed by the Prime Minister.

A golden key, as a keepsake was presented to Mr Massey by Tau Henare.

After the Hall was opened a roll of honour containing the names of 2,000 native soldiers, was unveiled by the Prime Minister. Tau Henare presented Mr Massey with a mat in honour of the occasion.

Amongst the native ministers present were Mr Ng»ta, Dr Pomare and Sir J. Carroll. The table used was the same as that on which the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Early in the morning Mr Massey unveiled a roll of honour in the Russell school and inspected the Opou Wharf. Mr Massey is the guest of Mr Reed to-night and he goes to Hokianga tomorrow.

TREATY OF WATTANGI RECALLED. AUCKLAND. March 29. An historic function was held at Waitangi to-dny in. connection with the formal opening of the Hall erected to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The usual Maori ceremonial was carried out. and the Maoris had made great preparations, tho expenditure being in the vicinity of £5,000. About 1.000 Maoris were present and also many Europeans, including the Premier.

The Hall is built of brick and plaster, with a memorial obelisk hearing, the terms of the treaty in the Maori tongue beside it. The kainga for the • accommodation of the Maoris' consists of huge marques and tents, electric light being installed. At the opening of the Hall, Hon Mr Ngata said: “We on the East Coast are reaping tho proper fruits of the Treaty in an'example of bow far, how just and how Christian the British race can be.

Hon. W. F. Massey said the building now being , opened would, ho hn

stand for centuries and be held sacred by both the white and Maoris races LTe was glad it was to be a permanent resting place of the names of the men of the Maori race who fell in the Great War. If there was any direction in which it was necessary to put the Maoris on a footing of equality with the Pakehn, it would he granted. All the Government asked was that they should assist in developing the country by working their own lands.

ARBITRATION COURT. WELLINGTON, March 29. During the hearing of the waterside case in the Arbitration Court to-day Mr Bruce, for the „nion, asked Captain Walton, the wharf superintendent of the Union Company: “You have said I threatened to stick up a ship if you did not agree to our terms. When was that?” Witness replied: “Yon have said that so many times.” Mr Bruce: “Have you not told me you would stick the whole lot up.” Witness: “Yes; I told you that if von went on like you were doing the employers were prepared to stick up the whole lot.” Pressed as to instances, witness mentioned the Kaitnna, Calm and Kaitangata. The exchange between the parties at this stage became so acrimonious that the President of the Court intervened.

Later a remark by Air Smith, that union officials thought it was too risky to go into the box, brought Mr Roberts to his feet in vehement protest. He was not afraid to go into the box anywhere. He complained that the employers’ representatives were trying to force the inference that the union officials were a section of desperadoes. The President of the Court remarked that lie would have stopped Mr Smith if he thought the statement was meant seriously.

Captain Walton said that th e decrease! output of coal was certainly due to “go-slow” policy and not to the gear. The employers asked permission to put in a standard authority on waterside employment in the United States. The evidence then continued.

more; employers evidence. WELLINGTON, March 29. Other evidence before the Arbitration Court to-day in ;on neelion with the waterside labour case was to the effect that the travelling time between the suburbs and tin* wharves was not fairly used, and the present system of labour caused a good deal of overlapping, Stop work meetings should be held one month in the daytime, and the next at night, to give the employers a fair thing. As to the wet weather clause, it was stated men knocked off for the slightest excuse as regards unfavourable weather Regarding the supervision of men, a. good deal would depend on how watersiders were handled. Tf handled well, they would work well. As.to personal supervision, Mr Roberts (for th e Federation) maintained that where they, got personal supervision no difficulties arose. The sitting was adjourned till tomorrow.