OBITUARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4472, 1 July 1930, Page 2

OBITUARY.

SIR MAUI POMARE.

The death lias occurred in California of tSir Maui Pomare, member for Western Maori. Sir Maui was in failing health when he left New Zealand some months ago will! Lady Pomare. ! 'file Hon. Sir Maui Pomare was born in 187li at Pillion, Onaero, Taranaki. His father was chief of the Ngati-Awa tribe, and bis mother a ehiclTniuess of the Ngatitoa, and be was Thereby connected with most of the West Coast tribes. •His early education was obtained in the Chatham Islands, al St. Stephen's Maori School, Auckland, Christchurch Boys' Digit School, and Te Ante College. He studied medicine in America and elsewhere abroad, and upon obtaining bis Mil), degree lie returned to New Zealand and look, up the position of Chief Health Officer for the Maori race. He held this position from HKD to 191.1, when he succeeded Henare Kailuiu'as member for the Western Maori district. Sir Maui was a member of Mr. Massey's tirst Cabinet, holding the position of representative for the Native race and Minister in Charge of the Cook Islands. Do held those offices eonI biliously until the resignation of the Coates ’Government, in December, 1.928, and in addition was ' Minister of Health from 1923 to 1,92(1. Upon Mr. Bollard's death he, look- over the portfolio of Internal Affairs.

Sir Maui enjoyed the unique distinction of baying been Die longest elected Minister (with continuous service) in the British Empire, having held office before/during, « and after the war. j The death of Sir Maui will necessitate a by-election for the Western Maori seat.

AN EXAMPLE TO BOTH RACES,

“Pew iieople realised the wide knowledge Sir Maui Pinna re possessed of both domestic and Imperial polities/; said the Rt. Hon. •J. G. Coates in paying a tribute to the memory of his late colleague.

“Sir Maui Pomare had been associated with the Reform Party since 1911/’ said Mr. Coates, “and he took an active part in the parly’s work, and also acted as an administrator until a few months

“His work among the Maori people was outstanding. He possessed the gift of knowing what was in the mind of the Maoris, ami this was apparent in the way in which lie handled the Ngn.itu.hu claims in Die South Island, and the claims for confiscated native lauds in Die North Island, both ol: which bail been dealt with by commissions which had made, recommendations. “The in lcrest which Sir Maui Y C'on are took in the education, health and general welfare of Die '-V Maori people nitisl clearly indicate that he never forgot, and always worked for his own people. ! think it can be said that lie lias added to the understanding, progress mid development of both races with outstanding ability.

“Sir Maui rendered invaluable service during . I lie Great \Va r by convincing Die Maoris that their existence was threatened equally with that of the pakelia, and the splendid work dime by the Pioneers miring the war is in the memory of all of us to-day. It must not. lie 1 1 u-g ■ U.lcn oil tier That Lady Pomare was a Tireless worker during the years of the wxr.

’ “H ‘‘fin now he said,” concluded Air. Coates; “that one of the greatest tolaras growing on one of our highest mountains has fallen, and il behoves every young Maori and Pakeba to endeavour to live up to Ihe example of I,lml giant tree. II is memory stands oat its an example to us all.”