WAIKATO MAORIS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 189, 30 April 1918, Page 4

WAIKATO MAORIS

<> FIRST BALLOT TO BE TAKEN.

Tho Government Statistician (Mr. Malcolm Frasor) has been instructed to take a ballot anions tho Fii-st Division, Maori Reservists, in flic Waikato-Maniapoto Recruiting District for the purposo of securing recruits for tho Maori ConHngent now serving in France. Very Tew of the Waikato Maoris have enlisted voluntarily up to the present time, though tho other tribes have provided men freely, and tho Government announced some time ago that steps wild bo taken to bring the Waikato into line with the other Maoris and with tho European First Division reservists. The preliminary step was taken on .Tune 26 last, when a proclamation was issued under Section 5(1 of the Military Service .Act to Natives. The enrolment of the Native Expeditionary Forco Heserve was directed, and all the other necessary legal steps having been taken, the Government Statistician is now in a position to lake a ballot. Ho has accordingly been directed to take the first ballot of First Division Native reservists in tho Waikato-Maniapoto Recruiting District, and will do so at an early date. The total number of First Division Native reservists on the roll in the Wal-kato-Manianoto Recruiting District, is 420, and uf these it is proposed to call up 200 in tho first ballot. Tho Natives so called up will have the same privilege nf lodging appeals, etc./ as Europeans. For the purpose of hearing these- Die following have been appointed a'Native Military Service Board: Judge Charles' B. M'Cormick, Native Land Court; Mr. .Tohn Omsby, of Otorohnnga; and M'\ Pitiera Taipun ofOtnki. The Natives of Coromaudel. Thames, and Ohinemuri, who arc included in the Wai-kato-Maniapoto Recruiting District, havo always done well in supplying voluntary recruits, and will receive the consider*., tion which is their due in view of this fact.