MAORI & PAKEHA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1940, Page 3

MAORI & PAKEHA

NEW CENTURY OPENED WAITANGI ASSEMBLY. GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S ADDRESS. (By Telegraph—Press Asociation.) WAITANGI. February 6. “We are assembled writing the last words of .1 page of history that will be turned over for a new writing to begin a new century,'' said the Gover-nor-General. Lord Galway, at the opening of whare-runanga, the new •Maori meeting house. It was a far cry to times and conditions 190 years ago, and it was hardly to be expected that perfection would be reached in a moment. Undoubtedly, there were injustices which we were doing our best to remedy. It was to be hoped that, in the next hundred years, they would be completely obliterated.

Sir Apirana Ngata had said that, where injustices were overcome, tribes looked forward instead of back. He would ask them to remember the words, “Look to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you." in looking back over the history of the past 100 years, there was a definite period of 75 years after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, during which there was feeling among Maoris that were rather overwhelmed by pakehas, that the Maori race was on the decline, and that the future held little hope. Then, in 1914, the Maoris joined up in the struggle for liberty. It put life and heart into Ihe Maori race and old prophesies were rendered false. From then on a new compact was made, not like a treaty, but one of heart and affection between the Maoris and their pakeha brothers.

When the war was over the Maoris came back strengthened and heartened. Since then the race had never looked back. They were increasing in numbers, and there was before them an

era of great prosperity. The race had . produced many great and distinguished . men like Sir Maui Pomarc and Sir Apirana Ngata. Now another compact ■ was being made; another Maori bat- ■ talion was being raised. , Lord Galway said it was sad to be , saying farewell to the tribes. Before the end of the year he would have sailed for Home, but he would take back pleasant recollections of kindnesses shown by Maori and pakeha alike. MESSAGE FROM THE KING. His Excellency then read the following message from the King:— “It gives me great pleasure to send my cordial greetings to my people in New Zealand, who are now celebrating the conclusion in 1840 of the Treaty of Waitangi, between pioneer British settlers in New Zealand and representatives of the Maoris. In the one hundred years which have since elapsed, they have established a vigorous and progressive community on a basis of mutual understanding. I entertain the happiest recollections of my visit to New Zealand some 12 years ago, and her continued progress has always been a source of .deepest satisfaction to inc. 'The generous and valuable contribution which the Dominion is making to the war effort of the British Empire will mark a groat’ page in her history, and the spirit of my people in New Zealand and elsewhere is a sure guarantee that the difficulties which at present lie before us will be success- | fully overcome. I congratulate New Zealand on her past achievements, and send her my heartfelt wishes for her future prosperity. (Signed) George R. 1.” LORD WILLINGDON'S SPEECH. Lord Willingdon said that never previously in his public life had he been so much interested as in the wonderful scene re-enacted that morning. Never before, too, had he heard so many speeches in a given time. He had been sent to New Zealand at the invitation of the New Zealand Government, for which he was extremely grateful, to join with New Zealanders in their delightful centennial ceremonies. He voiced deep gratitude for the extraordinarily warm reception given to his I wife and himself.

Referring to the heavy European war clouds, he said that recently in Britain he had seen pakehas training for the great struggle. That day he had been gratified and delighted to see a guard of honour of the Maori Battalion ready, willing and eager to light in the great cause, the righteousness of which was recognised by both races in New Zealand. He would return to England assured that New Zealand was as loyal today as ever it had been and satisfied that the treaty had been kept faithfully by both parties. He hoped that, with both peoples continuing to work under the treaty, its benefits in the next 100 years would be even more apparent. Next time he paid a flying visit to the Dominion he hoped conditions would be happy and peaceful and that the Empire and her Allies would have triumphed in the war of civilisation against barbarism. The issue in that conflict involved the liberty and freedom of all on the marac. The Empire must and would succeed in the purpose for which it was striving—peace, contentment, goodwill and bettor living. AUSTRALIA'S TRIBUTE. Congratulations on New Zealand's attainment of one hundred years oi British citizenship was extended on behalf of the Government and people of Australia by Senator Mcßride. Paying tribute to those taking part in the pageant, he said they did so not only ably but enthusiastically, showing that the terms and spirit of the treaty had been well carried out in the hundred years. New Zealand was a notable example of the manner in which British rule reconciled differences between natives and Europeans and of the great advantages, material and spiritual, which it had brought.

No greater evidence of unity was possible than the sight provided of khaki-clad Maori soldiers on the compound. That was ample evidence that I hey recognised their equal rights as citizens and were- determined to preserve the benefits of British rule and freedom for the future. He, too. hoped for an early peace and for further peaceful development of the country.