WELLINGTON WELCOME TO ROTORUA MAORIS

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5306, 20 January 1947, Page 4

WELLINGTON WELCOME TO ROTORUA MAORIS

Throughout Maoridom there is a spirit of renaissance. This is the opinion the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, expressed at Parliament House on Friday when, as Minister of Native Affairs, he welcomed the Taiporutu Club, of Rotorua. - "There is a rebirth of Maori eulture which will make a real contribution to our national life," said Mr. Fraser. He paid tribute to the life's work of the lafe Mr. H. Tai MUehelT C.M.G., in whcse mer.:orjr the club was founded. No Maori had done more for the spiritual and inaterial welfare of his people, he added, than had Mr. Mitchell, and it was singularlv appropriate that Te Arawa should heed his request to preserve the cultural heritage of the race. The Prime Minister also referred to ;he fine war work of Ngati-Poneke at whose invitation the Ara was wei'e visiting Wellington to give concerts in aid of the cathedral appeal. "There can he no more welcome visitors to Wellington," he concluded, "than the people of> Rotorua." Mr. Fras'er was sugported by the former Native Minister, Mr. Mason, the Under-Secrecary of Native Affairsv Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Kingi Tahiwi, and Mr. Tom Fletcher, of the Education Department. ^ Replying on behalf of the visitors, Tuoro Pang'o M.B.E., thanlced the Prime Minister for assuming the po'rtfolio of Native Affairs, and congratulated his Government on irs return to office. 'We are indeed very happy that s; you and your Government are again on t*he Treasury benches, he said. Mr Mahure Coughlin and Mrs'. Rangi Wilson also spoke for the visitors, Ana Hato sang, and songs ■ in memory of the late Messrs Mitch- ; ell and Te Raumoa Balneavis were | sung hy the ckib.