NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2213, 9 December 1920, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

MEMORABLE GATHERING AT

, PA RE WAN ITPRESENTATION TO MR. T. M. WILFORD. Saturday last marked one of the most notable gatherings ever held at Parewanui Pah. Chiefs representing all tribes in New Zealand met Mr T. M. Wilford, Leader of the Opposition, who dealt exhaustively with matters relating to the Native race. Mr Warena Hunia presented Mr Wilford with an address which read: —- To T. M. Wilford, Esq., ALP., Hon. Leader of Opposition, Wellington* 0 — Friend, the sincere Greeting of Welcome : We, the undersigned Chiefs representing the Rangilane, Muanpoko and Ngatinpa Tribes of the Manawatu, Horowhenua and Rangitikei districts, welcome you to our meeting house, Afataiigara, to honour you and to express our appreciation of the appointment of yourself as leader of His .'Majesty’s Opposition in the House of Representatives in the Dominion of New Zealand, a position which you have earned through your ability in the field of politics. By continued and honest work, supported by members of your party in union and accord you will, wo hope, reach the highest point of'ambition of a New Zealander, the-Pre-miership of the Dominion of New Zealand. You have been instrumental in obtaining many benefits for your*Maori friends, for diming your career as Parliamentarian, and during your professional career as barrister, you have always given sound advice and assistance in many ways to the Maori people, and as Member of Parliament you have always helped us in our efforts to obtain fair legislation relating to us and our lauds. As Cabinet Minister during the war period you were fair and just to us, and as Leader of the Opposition your personality and ,'trenglh has helped us to obtain a hearing at last in matters in which 'we arc vitally interested. These actions on your • part prove that you are our friend,wind we pray God will abundantly assist you in your elToris in securing to our Native Federation of the Failed Tribes absolute Alaua in terms of the Treaty of . Waitangi, which Alana we cherish and hope to finally obtain. Farther, we feel satisliod thal you will always safeguard our interests in laws aiVeetinii our lakes, lisheries, forest reserves, and any customary lauds to which we still have rights, and we know you will u<e your hell endeavours |o help Tuhoe people in I heir-land trouble.' and to help tho-.e of them to obtain eoinpeii-ation who have innocently suffered under confiscation by the laws of New Zealand. We wish your party every success in its deliberations, for whom we know you stand for a stable Government in all matters affecting both the Native and European races of Aolearqa and VTaipounania, We extend to you and Airs Wilford, your life partner, whom we all admire, our liearly welcome this day. and hope you will a. I ways long he spared to help us in our many efforts for the betterment of mu* conditions. Kia Ora, Kia Kaha, Kia Ton. Ake, ake, ake. Annme. The address bore the signatures of representatives of (he Raugitaue. Rauginui, Muanpoko, Ngaliapa and Ivahuuui tribes.

Mr Wiiford was also (be recipient of an ancient, much valued and beautiful mere, and Mrs" Wiiford and Mrs McLean Wiiford handsome amis'.

Mr Wiiford, in acknowledging (be presentations, said they were the bighesl possible tributes which could be paid him as evidence of wind ho had endeavoured to do. The visitors were royally enlerlained, and after lunch a number of questions were put, Mr Wiiford assuring them that lie . would make every enquiry and have matters brought up for consideration by the Government.