MAORI BATTALION
UNIT TO JOIN SPECIAL FORCE'*’ MANY APPLICATIONS FROM ARAWAS [Per United Press Association,]' ROTORUA, September 19. Information has been received by leaders of the Arawa tribe from Mr A. F. Moncur, M.P., ■ that the Government lias consented io the formation of a Maori battalion as part of the training of a force for home defence or active service overseas. It was stated that the authority will cover the formation of a force of 600-physically fit young Maoris, but so far no details as to enlistment or the camp where the men will be trained have been announced. Already the Arawa, tribe alone , has over 400 applications for enlistment, but it is probable that only a portion of these will be passed as fit for service. Other Maori in the Dominion will also provide their quota. The decision is the outcome of a desire expressed by the Maori people for some time that they should he permitted to form a Maori, battalion similar to the Pioneer Battalion which served with such distinction during the Great War.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19390920.2.124
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Evening Star, Issue 23376, 20 September 1939, Page 14
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177MAORI BATTALION Evening Star, Issue 23376, 20 September 1939, Page 14
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