HOME SERVICE PROJECT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20043, 15 September 1939, Page 6

HOME SERVICE PROJECT

STRONG P.B. OBJECTION EQUALITY OF CONDITIONS “SHOULDER TO SHOULDER” Discussion on the possibility of the Government accepting the services of a Maori force for service with any expedition sent overseas has been lively among the native residents of the Gisborne district, avid the existence of a strong feeling of patriotism among the younger members of the native community is demonstrated by the number of Maoris whose names appear in the roll of voluntary enlistments at Gisborne.

It was suggested to a Herald representative to-day that the elders who accepted the responsibility of recommending the Government to accept the services of such a special unit should call the younger people together, and organise their response to the call of King and country. For want of such a lead, young men of the native race who wish to serve at once are enrolling for service in the general New Zealand forces, and there is a possibility of many of the keenest being lost to the Maori battalion which it is hoped will be formed. “Slur on Maori People” Strong objection has been voiced in the Gisborne district concerning the proposal emanating from the North Auckland Maoris that the sons of the tribes should serve only in the home area. As reported in Wednesday's issue, a meeting of leading Maoris held near Whnngarei during the week-end proposed that natives should be formed into a force for home defence, and should not be asked to serve overseas. Indignation has been roused among the people of Gisborne and the East Coast by this recommendation.

“It is a slur on the Maori people as a whole to suggest that our boys are not to he allowed to take their full share in the services demanded by war,” said an influential member of the native community, who served in the Great War as a member of the Maori Battalion. This man was not one of those who took part in this week’s gathering at Poho-o-Rawiri, Gisborne, when it was decided to repeat the offer of 1914, to raise a force of natives for overseas service. He fully endorsed that offer, however, and expressed the opinion that the response to a call- from the Government and the tribal elders would bring forth a strong response. Traditions of 1914-18 Force

"The Maori people will wish to take their full share of any sacrifices demanded by the present War,” he said. "We feel that we are entitled to take a stand beside the Europeans in this country, and share equally with them in all that the war involves in the way of service.”

He suggested that steps be taken at once to bring the younger men together and explain to them the advantages of forming a special Maori force. The traditions of the Maori Battalion in the Great War were treasured among the people of the tribes, he pointed out, and it was certain that the younger men_ would be keen to carry on those traditions. Scattered among the European units, they would serve just as willingly, hut their contribution to the war effort would not be as distinctive as if they concentrated their attention upon forming and maintaining a Maori regiment.