ARAWA WAR FLAG

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20037, 8 September 1939, Page 10

ARAWA WAR FLAG

MEMORIES OF 1916 TO FLY ONCE MORE Memories of the Great, War and the part played by the Arawa people have been revived by the old war flag of the Arawa people once again flying from the flag-pole on the marae at Ohinemutu. For nearly 20 years it lias been locked in a specially built oasket as a sign of friendship between the British and the German peoples. One key of that casket was held by President von Hindenberg and the only other one by a chief of the Arawas. The story began in 1916 when a special war flag was prepared for the Arawa people. The flag depicted a Maori warrior in war regalia thrustng his spear through the Kaiser. Vhenever an important battle was in progress the flag was flown proudly ’rom the marae at Ohinemu'u, and .vhenever the news was received of the death in action of a member of the tribe, the same flag was flown half-mast. Shortly after the war the commander of the new Emden was in Rotorua and saw- the flag. He suggested that as a sign of friendship between the two peoples the flag should be displayed no longer, and that as tong as peace prevailed, the flag should be locked away. It is undersipod that witli the outbreak of war once again between Britain and Germany, the flag is to be flowß on the marae. MAORI BATTALION Although repeated requests have been made to the Government for some time it was stated in Rotorua this week that so far no approval had oeen secured for the formation of a Maori battalion by the people of the \rawa tribe, who in the periods of mterna’ional tension which have existed during the past 12 months have been anxious to enlist and train a strong body of men, either for the defence of the Dominion or service overseas.