[December 29, 1909 – Auckland Star] Somewhere between 200 and 300 guests were entertained yesterday afternoon at a garden party at “Greystone Knowe,” Mount Albert, the residence of the Minister for Education (the Hon. G. Fowlds). A special train left Auckland at 2.30 p.m., and by the time it reached Mount Albert was packed.
Those availing themselves of the invitation were afforded the opportunity of meeting the members of the Young Maori Party, in whose honour the reception was given. In the absence of the Hon. G. Fowlds, who was compelled to return to Wellington on Monday to attend the continued sitting of Parliament, the guests were received by Mrs. Fowlds and Mr. G. Fowlds, jun.
The beautiful and secluded grounds of “Greystone Knowe” presented an animated appearance, thronged with people, and an excellent orchestra discoursed sweet music on the lawn throughout the afternoon. Afternoon tea was dispensed in a large marquee, and the function was in every way a most enjoyable success.
During the afternoon the president of the Young Maori Party, Mr. A. Wilson, headmaster of St. Stephen’s Maori Boys’ College, was invited to address those present in regard to the aims of the party in question. Having given expression to the general regret felt at the Minister’s absence, Mr. Wilson went on to outline the aims and objects of the Young Maori Party. These, he said, were simplicity itself, though frequently misunderstood and sometimes misrepresented. The greatest aim of all was to raise the Maori to the highest possible plane, and to bring out in him all that was truest and best. The rate of progress had been slow, and they sometimes felt discouraged. But they were going to persevere until the Maori had reached the summit they had in view. The party had no political side. They simply believed the Maori race was to form an integral part of this Dominion, and if New Zealand was to rank amongst the nations of the world, it would be because its people had dealt out to the Maoris that consideration, sympathy and assistance which was necessary to bring about the result they were aiming to achieve.
The secretary of the Young Maori Party, Dr. Buck, M.P. (Te Rangihiroa), also briefly addressed those present. He commenced with an incantation in the soft-tongued language of the Maori, as follows: —
Piki mai; heke mai
Homai te waiora kia au
T tu tehua aria
Te moe a te; kina ite po
He ao! he ao! He awatea!
Which, translated into English, means:
Come hither, draw nigh.
Bring unto me the living waters of life.
Ah! Weary has been the rest of the aged at night.
But now it is dawn! It Is dawn! It is light!
The incantation, explained Dr. Buck, was used by the Maoris in expressing joy, and on such an occasion as this it could be well used.
The Young Maori Party, which they were representing, was endeavouring to help the Maoris to reach the highest and best positions in life. It had to be remembered that to compare the natives of this country with themselves they would have to go back to the Stone Age. The Maoris of two generations back were on about the same level as their European brethren were 2000 or 3000 years ago. They were happy enough before the white man came, but since the advent of the European the natives of New Zealand had had to assimilate, in the course of two generations, what the pakehas had taken 3000 years to come through.
The Young Maori Party had had much to do, and if they could see some glimmering of success ahead they must be satisfied. What was most needed to bring about the desired end was education—broad, wide, liberal education. So they found the young Maoris who had received some education coming forward to help the aims and objects of this party. They looked to the European for sympathy, that they might go on hand in hand, working out a mutual destiny in the young country. The party realised that in the avenues of education lay their greatest hope: education in matters of industry, public health, and religion.
The movement had its genesis in the Te Aute College, and had now developed into a party, with two working sections in the North and South. Dr. Buck concluded by thanking the Hon. Mr. Fowlds and Mrs. Fowlds, and, with the aid of the Maori visitors present, gave the ringing Maori tribute of appreciation:-
Ka mate, ka mate! Ka ora, ka ora!
Ka mate, ka mate! Ka ora, ka ora!
Tenei te tangata, puhuruhuru nana
Nei i tiki mai i whakawhiti te ra
Hupane, kaupane! Hupane, kaupane!
Whiti te ra.