PATRIOTIC MAORIS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2279, 13 October 1914, Page 7

PATRIOTIC MAORIS

GENEROUS GIFT FROM GISBORNE NATIVES. 'An interesting letter showing the sterling quality of the patriotism of the Native population in the Gisborno district was read in the House of Representatives last night. Following was tho text of the letter: — "The Natives of Takitimu district send greetings. Our thoughts are arrested by the great European war now being so stubbornly fought, whose Vibrations have reached our own shores. Our hearts respond to the motives wliich prompted our Imperial leaders to prove the sincerity of our international friendship with France and Russia by great deeds. We also desire to express our admiration for the brave Belgians, and our sympathy with them in their dark days. Truly, this war is not only for our national existence and honour, but also to reassert on behalf of humanity the great principles of liberty and justice, so hardly won, and now so basely threatened by a tyrant's might. The Native peoplo of New Zealand have always treasured the rights and privileges cik joyed by citizens of our groat British Empire, and wo rejoice that in this time of national crisis an opportunity is offered the Maori peoplo of Now Zealand to share with our fellow. subjects the burdens of Imperial duty. Thoso duties clearly tell us to strike, and to strike hard for tho right, and they tell us to soften tho unhappy lot of the Belgians. Tho response to the invitation for Maori volunteers has been so ready and cheerful that those fortunate enough to he chosen are but a few of the many eager to take the Oath of Allegiance and uphold the Empire's glory. We now ask you to accept the enclosed gift of £1000 from _ us,. tho Maoris of the Takitimu district, as a eontri- . bution towards the war fund and towards the Belgian Relief Fund, to. bo apportioned in such manner as you, with tho advice of tho Ministry, may see fit. There is no doubt that similar offerings of men and money and affection for King and Empire will be made in other Maori districts in New Zealand. We trust that the sunshine of an honourable and lasting peace may soon pierce tho dark war cloud."

The House cheered heartily when the letter was read. Mr. Massey produced and exhibited to the House the marked chequo for* £1000 which had come to him with the letter. "I' think, judging by the applause wo have heard," said Mr. Massey ."that it is very gratifying to members of the House to realise, that members of the Maori race in this country are just as anxious to help the Empire in this great crisis that has arisen as their' European fellow citizens. I should like to say that while the news we have read.in tho papers this morning is not as good as we should like to see, there is, in my opinion, no reason for despondency. There never was a great European war without alternating reverses and successes, and the present war is apparently no exception. But tho Empire has put its hand to tho plough, and will not look, back. I feel certain that if necessary the Dominions and dependencies of the Empire will send double or treble tho' number of men to the front that they had first intended. I feel certain that the Dominions will be willing, and that the men will be forthcoming, realising that no price is too high to pay to preserve tho unity of the Empire, and to save us from Gorman tyranny and despotism." (Applause.)

The Hon. A. T. Ngata, member for Eastern Maori, said he was quite sure the Maoris of the Gisborn© district would be gratified at tho references made by the Prime Minister. The Maori people had shown a disposition throughout this awful business to take their full share in the defence of the Empire, not only in monetary contributions, but also in tho enthusiasm they had shown in' contributing men for service abroad. Owing to the regulations of the Imperial Government, it was not possible for that Government to accept the offers of service for the front, but they had done tho next best thing. They had accepted the offers of Maori contingents for service in Samoa and in Egypt. The enlisting had been very, enthusiastic, and twice the number the Government were prepared to send had been offered. Unfortunately the Maori Contingent Committee, "of which the Hon. Dr.Pomare was the head, had set a vory high standard, insisting that no man should be accepted who was not sft. Bin. or in some casos ss. lOki. in hoight. "I have no doubt," concluded Mr. Ngata with a smile, "that if we had 500 six-foot aboriginals at tho front they would give a very good accouut tf themselves, and they would probably succeed in turning that very formidable German right wing." Mr. G. W. Russell (Avon) said that members on his side of the House fully appreciated the value of the offer mado in money and men. The words used by the Prime Minister to the effect that tho colonies would stay with the Mother Country in this fight to the last would bo found to represent not only the opinion of parties in Parliament, but of tho people of New Zealand.