MAORI REINFORCEMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2471, 26 May 1915, Page 9

MAORI REINFORCEMENTS

o COOK ISLANDS TO SUPPLY QUOTA. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) . Auckland, May 25. The Hon. Dr.' Pomare, Minister representing the Native Eace, arrived in Auckland this morning mainly for the purpose, of making arrangements for the training of the nest contingent of Maori soldiers for the front. The first contingent, Dr. Pomaro states, created a splendid impression in Egypt, and official correspondence proves that General Birdwood and other military authorities were particularly pleased with the stamp of man. of which tho contingent was made up. The result is that it has now been decided that Maoris shall go to the front, and as soon as their training is complete they will proceed to the Dardanelles. Whether the men who went to' Malta will return to Egypt for further training Dr. Pomare does not know, but it is intended that they shall go into the firing line in about two months' time. In the meantime a system of continual recruiting will proceed so that the present Expeditionary Force may be kept up to its full strength, and as a first reinforcement 330 men will be selected to go into camp at Auckland for active training. The physical standard required will undergo some alteration. The first contingent consisted of men of an average height of sft. 9in., and an average weight of over 12 stone. In selecting the men for the new quota the minimum height will be reduced from sft. Sin. to sft. 6in. The first reinforcements will be 330 strong and will go into immediate training at Auckland. A force of Natives at Earotonga is also under steady training, and it is likely that the Cook Islands will supply a fine stamp of recruit. They will not be brought to Auckland to join this first reinforcements, however, as the winter weather hero would, it is considered, be unsuitable. Tliov will join a later quota.