The Dominion THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1915. THE MAORIS AND THE EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2586, 7 October 1915, Page 4

The Dominion THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1915. THE MAORIS AND THE EMPIRE

r THB spirited maimer in which tho Maoris responded :to the call for fighting men is a convincing demonstration, if such were heeded, of the whole-hearted loyalty of the finest Native race in His Majesty's Dominions, j The people of New Zealand require no proof of the attachment of the Maoris to the British Throne. We all know that their loyalty is as real as' our own; but their ardent desire that their young ■ manhood should stand alongside their comrades, of British blood in the firing lines is one of the many striking illustrations of the wonderful unity of the Empire in this great, The Maoris 'are certainly playing 1 "' their part well. The war has appealed irresistibly to their fighting instincts. So eager aro they that some people are of opinion that it may be necessary, in order to safeguard the- future of the race, to .put a definite limit on the number of Maoris sent to the front. Olio cannot help sympathising with the views expressed on this point by the 1 Rev. E. Bennett in the course of a patriotic address recently delivered at Pahiatua. Mr. Bennett is a young Maori of the best type, who takes a keen interest in all matters affecting the moral, physical, and social well-' being of his people. He holds that tho proportion of tlio best. Maori manhood now boing accepted for the front'is too hjsh, and suggests that the Government should fix the limit at about, 1000, "and uot as? for any more reinforcements unless the, situation becomes very critical.'' Mn. Bennett is a loyal subject of King Ceorge, but he is also anxious about the future of the Native race.

No sacrifice seems too great to the Maoris themselves. They are willingly giving their best.. The surgsotlon that the Government, jhouid uut a chtck on Native rjoruHiag

does not emanate from them. .It, is Mn. Bennett's own ijjca: Ho declares that the Maoris would probably be willing to send their last man to the field of battle if circumstances demanded it; but ho appeals to theSauthorities not to take full advantage of the unbounded loyalty of this unique warrior race. ' Mu. Bennett's words of warning deserve very careful arid sympathetic consideration.. > Neither the Government nor the people of New Zealand would approve of any course of action likely "to hasten the exti notion of the race by sending forth unlimited numbers of the progenitors of the Maori people 'of'' the future." The fact that it should bo necessary to put some restraint on their desire to_ fight for ~ the Empire is a fine tribute both to their patriotism and to the success of Britain's treatment of the native races that have come under her sway. A recent writer in comparing _ German and British ideals, of civilisation stated that tho British ideal includes tho' establish? ment of the rule of law, as .against anarchy on the one hand and tyranny on the other; the* task of making men fit for_ free institutions; the work of- guiding and training tlfcm to recognise the .obligations of citizenship, and to subordinate *heir 'own personal interests or inclinations to the common welfare. ■ The happy relations which exist between Briton and Maori is another impressive witness to tho' justice and wisdom of British