THE MAORI FORCE
- i • • 1 '..\ T v. \ SPECIAL BATTALION IN EGYPT.
The chiefs of -the Maori race 'in. New 'Zealand' liavo.' boon unhappy for - some months about the merging of tlio Maori force 'at" .the.. front with , the pakehas, and tho/Defence Minister has . been, in communication !with General Godley as to possible 'arrangements to meet the wisnes'of th© Maori pebplel A reply has been. received .by the Minister from General Godley,' 'showing 1 * that in the formation of-the Division-the necessary Pioneer Battalion'.will be formed largely,of Maoris, who will thus be kept' together and utilised in work which should suit them.' The Minister believed , the arrangement would be very, satisfactory to the Natives and their leaders in this country', to whom. tho Minister lias communicated the contents of the cablegram. General Godley's cable message is as follows:—■ '
Y "In the-Teorganisation in consequence of' the formation of the New Zealand Division, l am arranging to put _ all Maoris into the Pioneer Battalion, which will be for tho present composed of about half Maoris and half transferred from volunteers from the . surplus New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade Reinforcements. All the Maori Reinforcements will be posted to this battalion, and eventually it may become practically entirely Maori. "Major King> N.Z.S.C., lias been selected to' command the battalion, Captain Buck being second in command, and four. specially selected, and very good officers appointed to comhinnd companies. ;'I am very glad to be able to meet'your wishes and those of tho Maoris so fully." :
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Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2721, 16 March 1916, Page 6
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248THE MAORI FORCE Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2721, 16 March 1916, Page 6
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