FOR MAORI SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3039, 28 March 1917, Page 6

FOR MAORI SOLDIERS

SPECIAL PATRIOTIC FUNDS

PROPOSED NATIONAL SCHEME

A deputation representing East Coast Maoris waited on tho Hon. G. W. Russell yesterday to make certain proposals to him regarding patriotic funds raised by the Natives for the benefit of Maori members of the Expeditionary Force. In the Eastern Slaori district a board of trustees has Feen set up charged with the duty of administering those funds, and of adding to them by collecting other moneys. At present the trustees hold between £10,000 and £11,000, and the intention is to invest tho money ' in ' farming operations in order to get tho best possible return from the investment. The trustees have Seoided that it ivould , be proper to enlarge their field of operations in order that they may cover the whole Dominion, and they approached" Mr. ■ Russell to ask that the fund might be incorporated under the War Funds Act, and also that the Maori members in each district bo empowered to issue permits for the collection of patriotic funds. ' The Minister, replying, said he wished to assure the deputation that ho and his Department would help them in every way possible. He was not sure whether the law as at present would allow him tq incorporate a national fund for Maoris in the manner desired, but ho would have inquiries made on the point, and if ifc could not be done at present, the funds could be worked under a district scheme, and during .next session legislation could be put throuo;h Parliament to enable a national/scheme to be established. With regard to the issue of permits' for the collection of moneys he did not think tho.rct would be any diffwultv. about granting the wishes of the deputation. He suggested that in the meantime a fund should be established for. each of the four Maori electoral districts, which funds could later be combined in a national fund in the same way as the other patriotic funds had been incorporated under the War Funds Council. He assured the members of the deputation that the Government recognised to tho full its duty to the Maoris who M ftono tn servo in thn Expeditionary Force, and would be prepared in everv way possible to sh'ow the npTirfrintion of_ tbfi, people of New Zealand of the sacrifices made hv our Maori citizens in connection with the war.