Member of Parliament (and later Prime Minister) Sidney Holland addresses the gathering at Uepohatu marae, Ruatoria in 1947.
The marae hosted events on the 12th and 13th of September included cultural competitions with local school children and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall. The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.
A reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion) was also held. Seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.
The gathering was an important one. attended by thousands including the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament. Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.
Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: 43116. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.
Image: Sidney George Holland. Burt, Gordon Onslow Hilbury, 1893-1968 :Negatives. Ref: 1/2-038341-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23212876
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