TREATY OF WAITANGI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2412, 1 April 1922, Page 1

TREATY OF WAITANGI.

HISTORIC FUNCTION. Auckland, March 29. An historic function was held at Waitangi to-day in connection with the formal opening of a hall ereeted to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The usual Maori ceremonial was carried out, and the Maoris had made great preparations, their expenditure being in the vicinity of £5,000. About 1,000 Maoris were present, and many Europeans, including the Prime Minister. The hall is built of brick and plaster, with a memorial obelisk bearing the terms of the treaty in the Maori tongue. Besides it is a kainga for the accommodation of Maoris. It consists of huge marquees and tents, electric light being installed.

At the opening of the hall the Hon. A. T. Ngata said: “We in the Bast Coast are reaping the proper fruits of the Treaty. It is an example of how fair, how just, and how Christian the British race can he.”

Mr Massey said that I lie building now being opened would, he hoped, stand for centuries, and be held saered by both races. He was glad that i! was to be the permanent restingplace of the names of the men of the Maori race who fell in the Great War. If there was any direction in whieh.it was necessary to put the Maoris on a footing of equality with the pakeha, it would be granted. Ail I the Government asked was that they should assist in developing the ■ country by working their own lands. A telegram from Russell states that after the memorial hall had been opened a roll of honour, containing the names of 2,000 Native soldiers, was unveiled by the Prime Minister, and Mr Tau Plena re presented Mr Massey with a mat in honour of the occasion. The table used was the same as that on which the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.