ARAWA PEOPLE'S GENEROUS GESTURE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 102, 21 December 1931, Page 6

ARAWA PEOPLE'S GENEROUS GESTURE

GIFT TO NATION TRUST BOARD CONTRIBUTES PERCENTAGE OF INCOME FOR THREE YEARS "H-ELP OUE BELOVED COUNTRY" A fitting conclusion to the visit of the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, to the Maori people in the Rotorua district, took place on Saturday evening, when members of the Arawa Trust Board waited-on His Excellency with an offer of financial assistance to the Dominion by contributing to the Consolidation Fund, a percentage of the £6,000 annually paid to the Board by the Government in eonnection with the surrendel" by the Arawa people of their elaims to the lake bed. The Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata, who introduced the .deputation, made a brief historical survey of the Rotorua lakes claim by the Mq,oris and the final negotiations which led to the formation of the Arawa Trust Board to administer an annual fund which was granted by Parliament in eonsideration of the relinquishment by the Maoris of the control of the lake beds, but reserving c^.rtaili elaims such as the right to fish for indigensous fish and the right of navigation. ■ The board, said Sir A. Ngata, was entirely composed of Maori members drawn from the Arawa tribes, and the members present were not only representative of the people, but were actually the recognised leaders of the tribes of the district. Mr. H. Tai Mitchell, chairman of the Board, thanked His Excellency for reeeiving them. "The deep interest evinced by Your Excellency in the hative lands during your present visit is very inspiring to those who are actively engaged in the development schemes initiated in the Rotorua district by the Native -Minister," said Mr. Mitchell. "Your stirling addresses have heartened our people tremendously, and on behalf of the Arawa tribes the board desires sincerely to thank you." The chairman then handed to His Excellency a declaration drawn up at a meeting earlier that day. "Our Beloved Aotearoa" "That the Arawa District Trust Board, to marlc the occasion of the present visit of the Governor-Gen-eral, Lord Bledisloe, to the Arawa territory, and its people, and mindful of His Excellency's lead in regard to the finances of our beloved Aotearoa in her time of stress and economic difficulties. hereby contributes eight per centum of the board's annual income of £6,000 to the country's needs for a period of three years, and that the Paymaster-General be and is hereby authorised to retain and pay the said amount to the Consolidated Fund annually during the afosesaid period, commencing from the first day of April, 1932." The declaration was signed by the following members of the board: Messrs. H. Tai Mitchell (chairman). Te Mapu Morehu, Kiri Tapsell, Pini Haupapa, Wi Karena Wihapi, Kepa Ehau, H. Hikairo, Hemana Pokiha. Hemi te Uara, Kereopa Hori, Matina Makiha, Tamehana Gardner and Raniera Kingi (secretary). His Excellency, in reply, said that he was deeply touched by the voluntary offer made by the Arawa Trust

Board in this time of stress. The fact that they had surrendered a certain amount of their income not for one year, but for three years, showed that they recognised the realities of the serious position that the country was now in. He hoped that the depression would pass away udring the nexf twelve months or two years at the most, but world factors were operating and it was very difficult to give even an approxiinate estimate of how long this position would last. He had faith in the ability of the British people to settle down and meet their difficulties in the proper spirit, as they had so often done in the past. Proud Of Arawa People Lord Bledisloe said that he felt very proud that the Arawa people had corne forward and without pressure of any kind offered a portion of their income to help their beloved country. He paid a glowing tribute to the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata, and said that he and Her Excellency, as well as the rest of the party, had enjoyed their visit to Rotorua immensely. The ball was at their feet, he added, and he hoped that they would carry right on with the development of their country. He would do all he could to assist their Minister in helping them. In touching upon the attractiveness of New Zealand to the sportsrnan, His Excellency desired to impress upon the people of the Rotorua district the value to the Dominion of the Splendid fishing that is offered in. the lakes about the district. People can^e here, he said. from all parts of the world to fish in these waters, and he trusted that the excellence of the fishing now enjoyed would be maintained. His Excellency suggested to the Native Minister the donation of a trophy for competition amongst the various land development schemes in the Waiakiki district. He said that her Excellency was also desirous of donating a silver cup to encourage the spirit of improvement in the Maori maraes. He would leave the details of his proposition to Sir Apirana Ngata, and if the suggestion was accepted he would have great pleasure in presenting these trophies He again thanked the deputation for its generosity, exchanged Christmas and New Year wishes with the m'embers before they withdrew.