RATANA REBUKED BY THE ARAWAS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2835, 17 January 1925, Page 3

RATANA REBUKED BY THE ARAWAS.

A RESOLUTION OF LOYALTY. Rotorua, Thursday.' Yesterday a meeting of Arawas al Ohinemutu discussed proposals of an emissary of Ralana to sign ihe Ralana Covenant. Having in view Ratana’s stateinjent I hat he had laid the cause of the Maori fore the Japanese Government, using words: “Katana has married the Maori race to the Japanese race and their salvation now lies in the hands of Japan” was regarded with great disapproval and Ihe following resolution was passed: “It is feit that, under the cover of these signatures he (Katana) will use himself as the Divine agent on earth and direct his people to disloya 1 tendencies.” It was decided that “the Ngatiwhakane sub-tribe of the Arawa people from their sacred courtyard Te Papaiouru, reaffirms ,its unalterable loyalty to King George V., and thnl in any future divergence of Maori tribes elsewhere, his Majesty’s representatives can always depend on this section doing its duty on the side of law and order. Further, that we hear witnes In Ihe Crown’s unfailing justice in all mailers properly placed before it for consideration. For these we are grateful—deeply grateful. We gave of our best during the Great War to show our appreciation of a great nation’s rule and to preserve our liberties under the Treaty of Wnitaugi. We deplore this outrageous disloyalty. Hence, again recording the words of our elders: “Be true and steadfast to Queen Victoria and if needs he, he the rock to break disloyalty in twain.’ ” There is keen interest taken in the matter. PETER MONO EXPLAINS. Wanganui, .January 15. “Ralana has never made nor suggested a political or national alliance with Japan, and he repudiates the reported statements made at Rotorua,” said Mr Peter Moko, Ratana’s official executive officer, when interviewed by a “Chronicle” representative by telephone to-night. “We visited Japan to disseminate the Gospel,” continued Mr Moko. “On our arrival there, the Japanese people were so liispitable that we understood from their kindness that they were related. As a matter of fact, we found afterwards, through inquiries that the Japanese people and our people were related. We have sent no emissary to Rolorna, and the only one that could he so regarded was a man who came from (lie sub-tribe to Ralana on tlie occasion of the recent gathering. On that occasion Katana made the position clear and said that (here was a blood relationship with Japan.” Proceeding. Mr Moko said that the visitor from Rotorua may have met the Arawas with a. view to gelling signatures to the covenant and in this conned ion explained that while Ralana’s party was away, Ralana mislaid some of the schedules of names and so intended to get. I hem over again. Tn referring to the visit to London, Mr Moko said their intention was to wait upon Mr Ramsay MacDonald about the Treaty of "Waiinngi, but they were informed that it was not possible al Ihe lime. It was suggested that an appointment might he made later, Init it was not made. He (Moko) took the platform and addressed several meetings on the Treaty of Wnitaugi. Mr "Moko staled that he personally would make a further explanation when he had more information on the subject.