Uepohatu reunion - Major Vercoe responds to a toast

First World War veteran Major Te Reiwhati Vercoe responds to the toast in honour of the RSA and the 2NZEF at the reunion of ex-service people at Uepohatu Marae in 1947.  See the programme here.

The marae hosted events held on the 12th and 13th of September that 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. 

At the Investiture held on the second day, 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.

Major Vercoe(Ngati Pikiao/Ngati Tuara) served in the Tauranga Armed Rifle Volunteers, Seventh Contingent in the South African War and in the Pioneer Battalion of World War I.  His actions in war earned him the Imperial South African War Medal and the Queen’s South Africa Medal and he was Mentioned in Dispatches in WWI.  He was recommended for the Victoria Cross but did not receive it.  He tried to enlist with the 28th Maori Battalion but because he had falsified his age in 1901 for the South African War he was turned down as being too old. He was captain in the Rotorua Home Guard battalion, promoted to temporary Major in May 1942, and took command of the Matata Military Camp in February 1943. He became heavily involved in the Maori War Effort Organisation and was posted to the retired list on 28 April 1946 and awarded the New Zealand War Service Medal.

Major Vercoe's sons, Henry and William, and his nephew Edward Ruhi served with the 28th Maori Battalion.

Transcript

Mr Chairman, Your Excellencies, Rt Honourable the Prime Minister, your Ministers, the uh Mr Holland – Leader of the Opposition, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I will reply to this toast, as an old soldier, a soldier of the First World War. I will leave to my young friend Captain Ngata the honour of replying on behalf of the men of this war.

Mr Chairman it is not necessary for me to say how proud I am to be here at this very great gathering tonight. I think a gathering like this is the first of my experience at any rate that has taken place where so many of the both races, the leaders of our country, graced by the representatives of our gracious Majesty the King and the very great assembly of the European and Maori people.

The RSA, Mr Chairman, means something just a little different from any other Association. It represents the Association whose, of men, who cemented their life, their friendship on fields which is not trodden in ordinary times. And because of that thanks Mr Chairman, I wish to say this, that as a Maori soldier I am indeed grateful that I have been privileged to be present at a gathering like this. It is rather unique that we of the Maori people, to have with us your Divisional Commander and at the same time your Battalion Commander who laid the foundations of your great service as a Maori Battalion in the war just been. [applause]

And, to we of the old Brigade, may I say this, that we are indeed privileged to be present here with our sons, and to see and hear the conversations of our commanders, the leaders of our country, those responsible citizens who are so well able to judge the worthiness of the service of our Maori people.

Now, may I just say this on behalf of that organisation which we are I am sure, very proud to belong – the RSA. They are a brotherhood. They are men who will not go into anything unreasonable. They ask for reasonable things, at least that’s what I think they should do. Don’t ask for something impossible but ask for a fair deal. And I feel at the present time in this country, with the leaders that we have and the Opposition that we have in our party that they will see that you as Returned Servicemen will get a square deal. 

Now, Mr Chairman, the evening is getting on and may I in conclusion, for my part in this toast, thank the gentleman who proposed it. Thank the way in which this gathering has received the toast and in conclusion may I wish you Sir, your good Lady, the leaders of the parliament who are here today - all success. And, we hope that in the troublesome time that we’re going through, in the present time that your experience tonight of the co-operation and the mingling of the both races of this country will give you inspiration in working out the salvation of this country and for the great Empire which we all love so much.