LATE SIR M. POMARE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1930, Page 2

LATE SIR M. POMARE

WAITAR A OBSEQUIES. GREAT WEALTH OF ORATORY. \By Telegraph- Per Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, August 29. Maoris and Paaeluis, native visitors from every part of the North Island, and Parliamentarians >lrom various parts of botli Islands, the leaders; of the .House of Representatives, the leader of the Legislative Council, and every shade of political opinion contributed a wealth of sympathy and apreciatiou to the family of Sir Maui JPomare at Waitara.

Most of the speeches were in Maori. Some were given in English, and translated into Maori by interpreters. In some cases the speakers gave alternative versions in Maori and in English. Altogether about four hours were absorbed in the expression ol this vast tribute, and there were still many more speakers who would have contributed their quota of oratory had the.time permitted.

Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister of Na- j tive Affairs, commenced in the Eng- 1 lish tongue by welcoming Mr Coates | and the other members of the Parliamentary party. Sir Apirana proceeded then to address the gathering most eloquently in. the Maori tongue, inter- 1 posing, on two occasions, a long sustained chant of farewell. Several other members of the Parliamentary-: party addressed the as-1 seinbly. in terms of regret at the death of their friend. Their remarks, with the exception of those of Mr K. S. ‘ Williams (Bay of Plenty), who spoke in the native tongue, were translated by interpreters': j “I am sorry..tfor the cause that brings us to your courtyard ana to the courtyard of your ancestors of a j man who stands in high repute amongst both Pakeha and Maori from the North Cape to the Bluff,” said

Mr Coates, Leader of the Opposition. Few men, he continued, had done more than Sir Maui to bring about; a sympathetic feeling of understanding between the Maori people of New Zealand and the Pakeha. Few men had done more to stay the surging feeling of • discontent and distrust that was clouding the Maori people, or smoothed out the way for better 'feeling between two races., The ceremony continued, throughout the day. The chief rites will be performed to-morrow, but it is probable that the ashes will be committed to the vault on Sunday.