LAND FOR MAORI SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2717, 11 March 1916, Page 6

LAND FOR MAORI SOLDIERS

By Telegraph—Press Association. Cisborne, March 10. Something in the nature-of .a.warning to members of the National Government was voiced by Sir James Carroll at a gathering at the Soldiers' Club. " . ■ . The member for Gisborne said there was a matter on which he would doubtless have something to say on Parliament assembling. Maori soldiers were entitled to the samo consideration as •European in regard to placing returikd men on land. The question arose whether the Government should continue carrying on a. vigorous policy of denuding the Maoris of their land. Ho only hoped that in tho carrying out of this policy they would bear in mind tho probability of having to provide other land for the Taco in tho future. Tho Hon. G. W. Russell promptly announced that with the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald he would send "a telegram' to' the Native Minister to the effect that they were of opinion that in Maori land purchases special consideration should he given to Maori soldiers on their Teturn. (Applause.) Mr. Mac Donald said he would treat the Maori soldier the same as the pakeha, and was sure, that the soldier boys would not have it otherwise. (Applause.) Ho did not think the Maori should bo denuded of his land. They all knew no one had done more for the Maori people than Sir James Carroll, and any scheme he might. bring forward would havo consideration.