THE MAORI FAREWELL

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1925, Page 2

THE MAORI FAREWELL

PJ( TURKSQUE LANGUAGE. WELLINGTON, .May U. Scenes which will live long in the memory were witnessed in the vestibule at Parliament Buildings to-day. An hour before the funeral procession left the scene of the late Mr .Ma-sey’-. untiring labours, representatives of the Maorie race, led by their aged chieftain, gathered round the catafalque, and, with that eloquence which has ever been tin outstanding feature of the Native people, paid a tribute to their dcjiartcd leader. Their grief was no mere outward show. .Sincerity rang in every word that was uttered. It as a lament typical of a rate which is emotional to a degree.

The Maoris, with heads bowed and hearts saddened bv the loss ol a leader who was also a friend, were led by the M,blister of Native Aflairs (the Mon. .1. (I. Coates), the Minister of Public Health (the lion Sir Maui Pomare), Mr 11. W. Fill, the member for the Southern .Maori electorate. Mila Tatijiopoki. "t Rotorua, representing the Arawas, Taoiaiwliioti. ol Thames, mill Here Nicholson, representing the Xgatirunkawa tribe. On one side stood .Ministers of the Crown, and on the other side of the vestibule were gathered in silent reverence members ol the Legislature.

There was an impressive silente as Mita Tiiupnpoki. old .Mita Taupopoki. old in years hut young in spirit, approached the rail surrounding the bier. For a moment he bowed in silence, and then, raising himself to his full height, and with tears rolling down his checks, he turned slowly to Mr ( nates and Sir Maui Pomare. To a strong voice, which at times shook with emotion, he delivered himself of an eloquent oration. eulogising in well chosen and picturesque language the work of the departed statesman. There were times when his voice reached a high pitch and rang through the mighty corridors of Parliament, and many sentiments which he expressed found a resjionsive chord in the hearts of his hearers, who mined with their chieftain. ( 111 F.FTAIN’S SPEECH.

Hrielly translated. M.ita’s oration was as follows: Ye Sous ol the departed Prime Minister (referring to Sir Maui Pomare and .Mr Coates), we greet you who remain. Croat is the grid of the Maori race on this day, because of the old man who lies here. llis noble works for Maori and Pakeha alike will ever remain. Farewell, () greatest of Prime -Ministers in love, in action, in law-making, and in all the attributes which make a great man! Farewell! Farewell ! Farewell!

Divesting himself ol the mats which he was wearing, the old chieltain appreached the railings, and reverently laid the mats there, indicating that these were the last gilts of the Maori

Sir Maui Pomare and .Mr Coates then laid the mats on the collin. and lor some seconds there was an impressive silence broken only hy tlie* sobs of Maori men and women, who bowed their heads in silent tribute. Then Tamaiwhiua, supporting himself with a stick, hut hearing himself with all the inherent, pride of bis race, advanced and added an eloquent tribute on behalf of the Maoris of the Auckland dist rid. In an oration that plainly came from tin' heart, the old chief declared that it had been through the departed Prime .Minister that the -Maori race had earned recognition. Though him it had leva possible lor the Maoris to take part in the Croat War. He concluded: Croat is our grief. Our hearts are heavy with sadness. The i ercniimy was concluded by an inipas-ioncd larewell by Rere Nicholson, and nmc again the sobs amt wailin i ..I the .Maoris were heard. Then gradually the Natives, satisfied in their hearts that I hey had paid a lifting f.n'cwdl in the groat Pnkchn. slowly wo it t their way.