MAORI AND PAKEHA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 222, 19 March 1914, Page 7

MAORI AND PAKEHA.

THE TWO RACES CEMENTING 'FRIENDSHIP. GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO PARIHAKA. Yesterday marked the first visit of the King's representative in the Dominion to Parihaka, by the special invitation of the native nice. Consequently, it was a great day in the village. Very elaborate arrangements had been made for Uie entertainment of the distinguished guests. For days past Maoris had been arriving at Parihaka from all parts of the North Island by trap, motor ear, and traction engine. Never since the time of Te Whiti's deatli, seven years ago, had there been such a migration to the historic village. In all, some twelve hundred natives must have assembled at Parihaka, so' that it can well be'imagined that the the scene around the marae, where the ceremonial todk place, was one that wiTI not be readily forgotten by those who saw it, particularly when it is remembered that there must have been a crowd of 2000 'Europeans from the surrounding districts commingling with the natives. This serves to show that the cementing of the troublos between the races is something more than a metaphor. Seeing the two races now fraternising, and the Europeans accepting the hospitality of 1 the natives, it was hard to realise that less than fifty years ago they were at war. The Governor, Lord Liverpool, accompanied by Lady Liverpool and Captain Eastwood, A.D.C., was motored to Parihaka under the escort of Dr. Pomaie. At Pungarehu they were met by the Hon. W. H. Horries, Native Minister, and. accompanied by two other ears, the vice-regal party journeyed up the two miles of the Parihaka road which was constructed and has been maintained by the naitives. On arrival at, the outskirts of the village, Lord and Lady Liverpool were met by Mrs. Pomare and a reception party, and invested with chiefs' inuti. the Maori Band playing the National Anthem. The party then proceeded to the marae, headed by the band. Extempore dances of welcome, accompanied by the usual wailing, were given by parties of Maori women. They were accommodated with scats on mats in the marae, in front of the late Te Whiti's residence. Immediately TJehind them were the graves of the late prophet and his henchman. Charlie Waitara, and the handsome monument erected to their memory. The party included Lord and Lady Liverpool, Captain Eastwood. A.D.C., Dr. Pomare. Bon. W..H. Herries. Hon. W. Carncross, M.L.C.,-Messrs. C. A. Wilkinson and H. 3. Okev, M.P.'s, Messrs. T. W. Fisher. Under Secretary of Native Affairs, Judge J. B. Jack, of the Native Land Court, Colonel Malone, and others.

AN ADDRESS OF WELCOME. : Mr, Walter Hipango, of Waitera, then read the following address of welcome, which was Interpreted by Dr. Pomuro:— '•To His Excellency, Earl of Liverpool, K.C.M.G., M.U.O.—Greetings to you, 0 Governor, and your gracious lady! Welcome the Heaven-sent! Thrice welcome the snow-white crane, which (lies hut once in a lifetime! Come under the mana of our great Sovereign Lord, King George V.! Bring hither his love to his Maori people, who have remained steadfast and loyal from the loss of our lamented mother, Queen Victoria, down to the present. The heart rejoices because you have come to visit your people of this confiscated area' of Taranaki. Welcome, 0 Governor, to Parihaka; to Parihaka, where peace and goodwill were kept by Tohu Ksikahi, Te Whiti o Ronomai, and their people, under the Treaty of WaitaiiL'i. Your people rejoice greatly because you have cut asunder the legal fetters which have bound our hands and feet for so long, and thus placing us on an equality with our pakeha brothers, enjoying the same privileges and sharing the same responsibilities, and so the two races will he drawn closer together, living in hurmonv, peace and goodwill. "Return to our gracious Sovereign King, and say to him that, wlietitw in times of peace or war. we will uphold his sovereignty and remain loval to him for ever. - "And may God long protect and prosper you and vour good lad v. Ki.i Ora! (Signed) "Pomarc, Pon Whare Uinu. Xolnmairnngi. Te Whiti Kongomai, Tonpa ten. Kaumatau. Tahmita Tepoihi Tutanuku Tunui, N'oi Whnrcpouri. Te Kapiiiga. Onakariti, Aropeta Tnmnnu.. and Mcteiroi Metonui." The address was beantifullv and approprialely illuminated, containiu'< views of Parihaka. Mount Egmont, and a war canoe. The text was written in both English and Maori. At the conclusion, Mr Hipango invited anyone else to -live a welcome. This was taken full advantage of. numerous natives, including several women, trivin" addresses (hat were eommendablv' brief. The burden of (heir song wa=i 'expressive of welcome, though nianv referred to the land troubles, and the hope that all the differences that had caused friction bad now been severed, and friendship cemented.

HIS KXCKIXFATY'S REPLY. Lord Liverpool then ; j.d || u . fol'-rv-i«g reply to the address, JJr. t'oiii.ii-o again acting as interpreter:— "Greetings tu you, 0 Chiefs ami In bus of Xaranaki. "1 have to thank you fur the ven cordial manner in which you have extended your welcome, both lo iiijn-i! and the toumesb of Liverpool. 1 have to thank you, too, for the deep expressions of goodwill towards both oi us, and also your words of lo\altv u. the Throne. Specially am i' |>l,.'a>cu tu know Unit the Maori people oi this district are so loyal to His ila|•sty'a person. "1 am glad that the dark days ha". ' passed when there were differences he tween the .Mauri and the Pakeha pe > pies, and especially am 1 pleased t. be able to visit this courtyard wheiv during the troublous times' the voiee-. of Toliu lvakahi and Te Whiti-o-Kon gomai could be heard urging th ■ . people to be steadfast to the°Treafv of Waitangi, and to hold to the sacred words which were uttered long a.rf. by a Heavenly Host saying 'fjlory t.i God in the highest, and on cart 1 peace,' and goodwill toward men. Whatever difference there might hi e been, it is for you now to prove our worth by pursuing peaceful arts. "I also rejoice at your words- tli;:. you are at least placed on an equalr.\ with your Pakeha brethren, enjoying the same privileges, sharing the si ; ■ responsibilities, serving the same Kir.j. and worshipping the same God. "The British Empire is made -in d many people, specking varied langu ages and having different customs. Tt fias been my duty in my profession as a soldier to travel many countries »i>d

cependencies of the Crown, and i an: convinced that the bust way to fi.iwnrd peace and goodwill is to tr*' sail understand the difficulties that the various countries have. "When I landed on these shores u little more than a year ago, I brought a message from His Majesty the King to all the inhabitants of these islands, which was to this effect:—'Tell the people of New Zealand that I take the greater interest- in all their undertakings, and that both myself and the Queen have nothing hut pleasant recollections of our visit to the Dominion.' Some of you may have met their Majesties- at Kotorua at *h« great gathering which took place there, and I can assure you that both Their Majesties take the greatest interest in everything which affects the welfare of any of their subjects, an.l I shall certainly write and give the King an account of our pleasant meeting to-day. "In conclusion, both myself and Her Excellency desire again to thank- you for the warmth of your reception of us, and to wish you one and all the Tiest of luck and prosperity in all your undertakings. I regret that on account of my manv engagements T ntci unable to accept the kind invitation to remain until to-morrow. We have been greatly deliglited witli all we have seen, and hope to renew our acquaintance with you on some future occasion. "May the light of Tsrael lift up the light of His' countenance upon this people, Uess you and keep you in peace and goodwill." The conclusion of the address was the signal for applause and dances. The Hon. Mr. Herries. in response to an invitation, said': "This is one of the greatest gatherings and greatest occasions that has existed in the history of New Zealand. Here, at last, all the differences between the I'akeha i.nd Maori have been done away with. For the first time you have invitcil the representative of the King to come and visit you on your own marae. Tln= is tin? first occasion on which the Governor and the Minister of the Crown are vour guests. Let us sink all differences. Let us to-day dig a grave twentv feet, thirty feet, aye, a mile deep, and cover them up. Let us now on the marae of Toliu and TeWhiti cement our friendship. What did Te Whiti say? He said: "The potato is cooked!" But was t cooked ? Instead, two or three eyes ha 1 fi'llen into the ground and blossome'l ii to the potato, which was exemplified a., the present time. This is the be n\r ii.7 together of the Native and • ipean, and having the same law for , aeh. T'.ng may that continue! Long m»> t':.? Native and European exist? nil ier one King and under one law. Tha; is ill 3 message that His Excellent lin Governor has brought you."

Witk reference to the different laws that have been passed, Mr. Herrics said he would be glad to discuss the*" after(he Governor had left. (Applause). -He cult not discuss these bcf/)rc the representative of the King, because (.'!•> K'i," knew no party. Their Excellencies and other.of the guests had to pass through a ceremony <" with a large number of Natives, iitis taking the plac- of the „'„] lli.tivc distant o* "hongi." The official party were then entertained at a sumptuous) oJn"er in _ tn ;' residence formerly occupied by Tc W hit.i. Tn the afternoon they took up their positions in the niiiroe, when Some beautiful dances, poi and haka. were performed by parties of Xgati Han (from Jerusalem), Kgatiawa school girls from Waitara, and aLo a Mercnir-re contingent. These were heartily applauded ami encored.

After words of greeting liv Mr. W. Hi; pango, His Excellency (hanked the poi dancers for their entertainment. fie again promised to write, nn account of this visit to the Kin\ As o:ie who hadlieen in the ncrsonnl household or Queen Victoria. King Edward and King George, he could assure them ot the interest that all three Soverei-a-took in the welfare of the Dominions. Tn conclusion, he expressed the hope that he would again lie able to* vi'-it Parihaka, and lie wished them all happiness. Dr. Pomare. referring to the specclia of welcome, remarked that it ivns for the Natives to cirvy on* in tl'cir cntiretv the expressions of peace ami good will contained therein. The Vice-Regal and Ministerial parties left subsequent !v for New I'l'ieou!'!