A MAORI WELCOME

Wairarapa Age, 1 March 1927, Page 5

A MAORI WELCOME

DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK AT ROTORUA. IMPRESSIVE NATIVE ADDRESS. “LOYALTY A TRADITION.” ROTORUA. February 28. The weather is glorious for the great day at Rotorua. The racecourse is crowded with many thousands of pakeha and Maori. The naval detachment of two hundred from the Renown, with the ship’s band, was accorded a great reception as it marched on to the course. The band played a selection before the arrival of the Duke and Duchess, to the delight of the huge audience. .The various Maori parties were ranged in front of the stand, and when the Duke and Duchess arrived the scene was one of extraordinary enthusiasm. The Hons. J. G. Coates. Sir Heaton Rhodes, R. F. Bollard, Sir Maui Pomare, and K. >. \\ ililams represented the MinisMr. Coates (as Native Minister) read the Native address of welcome, which was framed in Maori carving, and Sir Maui Pomare interpreted it. Represenof the principal Maori tribes were then presented by Sir Maui Pomare. and each laid valuable mats and tiki as gifts at tho ducal feet. ENGLAND’S APPEAL. The following is the translation of the address from the Maoris presented to the Duke and Duchess of York at this morning’s ceremonial welcome:— “Seek them from the far horizon anjl . draw them hither. Heremai! Heremai! P^ ease your Royal Highness. “Welcome, welcome, welcome son, welcome. “Second of that name your Royal father bore to this distant land a generation ago. Welcome! Thrice has Royalty deigned to honour our courtyard, to enter our humble house, and to walk among us. It is good. “Thus is fulfilled that word we spoke on this ground to your elder brother, that those who govern this far-flung Empire should walk and talk with its peoples in all its several parts, and so understand and be understood of them. Come then in that spirit of trust wherein England appeals to the hearts of all races, knitting them surely together in peace and goodwill. “Welcome! The messenger of the era to l be, when space and distance may be made of small account, when words and works may encircle the globe as does the sun so that no part of the Empire may brood in gloom and there conspire evil.

“Daughter of an honoured house, Welcome! Welcome!

Thus did the first Royal Duke appear before the eyes of our fathers with his lady. Welcome! The second Duchess. Ha! Is it a woman’s peace you bring? Woman’s hands and woman’s tears have soothed the wounds of a warring world. Now woman strives for the peace of God and ensuring peace, the peace which passes all u n d ers ta n d ing. 11 Welcome then, embodying the everrecurring hopes of mankind for a state in which health, happiness and prosperity shall prevail. There are ruined homos to be built again; there are broken hearts to be mended. There are empty spaces to be peopled, ' there are waste places to be turned into gardens. Come then with the Empire’s call to all your kind to cement its foundations anew, in seriousness with patience and forbearance.

“Welcome, then, Royal son and august lady. We do not need to repeat the vows already made to His Majesty the King ami to his eldest son. Loyalty has become a tradition of the Maori tribes of New Zealand, who have come to know and to value the things for which the Crown stands. The generation which welcomed your Royal father has passed awav, and with it have gone many of the old-time ways and wisdoms of our people. How else, could it ‘be? Aotea Roa and To Wai Pounamu have become the common inheritance of your people and our people. ‘ ‘ Welcome and farewell. Pass on to that larger land where awaitS your ultimate duty, the dedication of yet another cornerstone in the proud edifice of Empire. Haere ra! Hacrera’” THE DUKE’S REPLY. The Duke delivered, his reply, SiMaui Pomare interpreting, as follows: Jena Kotou. The Duchess and I sincerely thank you for your address, and I will communicate to the King my father the message of lovalty and devotion to the Crown which it contains. The loyalty of Maori tribes is well known, and was nobly shown by their services in the great European war. The King and Queen have not forgotten the time they spent among you. His Majesty retains the keenest interest in all that concerns your welfare, and he will dene to know of our reception amoire you and of the changes there have been since his visit. Changes must come with time. But retain your tradition of loyalty, courage, and chivalry, and all will be well witfi you and your children.

“I am especially touched by your kind words about the Duchess, which she greatly appreciates. AU that relates to the welfare of women and children is ever near her heart. As you have said, it is good that those who live m different parts of the Empire should meet and talk with one another, so tln-v may be kait together in closer understanding and sympathy. For this reason we welcome our visit to you. We desire to see your life and customs for ourselves, so that we, may tell the people in the Homeland when we return.

‘‘We thank you all for the welcome which you have extended to us. We have greatly enjoyed seeing the won ders of your country, of which we have heard so much, and we shall be sorry when cur stay conics to an end.

“Me wish you all* happiness and prosperity in the years to come. Kia ora. ’ ’

At the conclusion of the dances, the Duke ami Duchess walked through the lines of Maoris ranged in thin tribal groups and singing farewell ditties. Tho whole scene was one of subdued excitement till the Royal visitors were actually leaving the grounds, when the acclamation broke out with renewed vigour.

The Ducal party then went to Arawa Park, where tho Duke unveiled a memorial to the Maori soldiers who fell in the Great War. Afterwards a big detachment of returned Maori soldiers, headed by the Renown's band, marched through th'.- town to Ohinemutu, where

the naval men were to be entertained at lunch and shown the scenic won&ers. -(P.A.) PLEASANT TRAVELLING. THE JOURNEY TO TOKAANU. A DELIGHTFUL CAMP. TOKAANU, February 28. The journey from Rotorua to Tokaanu was accomplished under ideal conditions. There was bright sunshine and clear skies in every direction, with just enough breeze stirring to temper the heat of the sun most agreeably. Promptly at 2 o’clock the fleet of fifteen cars filed away from the Grand Hotel at Rotorua. A large crowd of people were watching to catch a last glimpse of the Duke and -Duchess, both of whom were clad in serviceable grey. The route gave the visitors an interesting example of afforestation work on a massed scale as miles of plantation, containing millions of trees were passed. At each of the infrequent cross roads ’/ere little groups of settiers and their families or parties of Maoris intent upon a passing view of Royalty. At 4.45 p.m. Wairakei was reache 1, and a stay made for afternoon tea. The Duke and Duchess visited the big bath in the hotel grounds, but could not look round the valley’s natural wonders for lack of time. The road claimed the travellers again at 5.45 p.m. A brief half was made at the Huka Falls, where the tourists gazed in wonder upon the turbulent, rushing waters. Taupo was passed in the gathering dusk.

After crossing the bridge over the Tongariro River, the procession split up the Ducal car continuing on and the balance going to the Tokaanu Hotel. The camp in which the Royal couple quarter with their immediate personal staff ,is beautifully situated in a lovely forest glade on the bank of the Tongariro River. The shelters are all of canvas with wooden floors and the little encampment is embodied in a grove of kowhai trees. The spot is completely sequestered and lies about six miles from the hotel. The sight which et the eyes of the Royal visitors ■when they reached camp about 8.30 p.m. was a welcome one after a strenuous day Tn the middle of the glade opposite the door of their particular tent blazed a huge firp of logs sending out a bright, ruddy glare upon the verdure all around so that it appeared to be a pity that electric light had been* installed to sncdl the sylvan simplicity of the scene No time was lost in settling in this temporary home. Belated dinner was served nnd after a brief contenipia tion of the peaceful scene, so far r.» moved from the madding crowd, the visitors retired to rise fresh in tho morning for fishing in the Tmgariro River.—(P.A.)