MAORI LOYALTY RECOGNISED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2471, 8 April 1909, Page 5

MAORI LOYALTY RECOGNISED.

MATENGA TAIHUIvA HONORED. Matonga Tailiuka, of Parinimhi, was presented yesterday morning with a flag at the Native Land Court —a Union Jack, from the Native Minister in recognition of the continued loyalty of himself and liis people. Mr. Goffe, on presenting the flag on behalf of the Native Minister, pointed out that there was no corner of the earth so remote but that that flag was known and respected, and never had it been insulted with impunity. The Government had honored Matenga greatly in presenting him with this emblem of the Empire’s greatness, and urged him to continue in the loyalty which had thus singled him out for such honor and distinction. Mr. Brooking, late Registrar of the Native Land Court, also spoke in commendation of the Government action in thus honoring Matenga. for though Matenga had once been fighting against us and had been deported to the Chathams with Te Ivooti, there was no Maori who had done more than Maenga. since his return, to promote good feeling between the two races. People, he continued, were prone to look nowadays on such .presentations as humbug, blit only old settlers, who hod carried their lives in their hands, could appreciate the Government’s action in cementing the good feeling now existing between the Pakelia and the Maori. He well remembered how glad many of them had been to find the British flag still floating over the Courthouse at. Gisborne when fleeing for their' lives after the Poverty Bay massacre, ‘.‘thanks' to the kindly dark faces who fought with us.” He again congratulated Matenga on the honor thus conferred upon him. Matenga, in replying, thanked the Minister for his handsome gift, saying that though long ago his hand had been lifted against the Government, lie had since learned to love and respect British authority, and even labored to instil that same love-and respect in others ’of his people. The flag would be flown as an emblem of the unity existing between the Pakelia and Maori and the goodwill existing between them, and would never be. insulted or dishonored while lie lived to protect it.