MAORIS AND WAR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20049, 22 September 1939, Page 11

MAORIS AND WAR

FULL PARTICIPATION OPINION IN THE NORTH

The resolution passed at a conference of North Auckland Maori leaders opposing the sending of a Maori force overseas has not met with the full support of the Maoris in the area, and strong objection to this attitude was taken at a further -conference held at Waiomio, near Kawakawa. The second conference was more widely representative than the previous one, and had primarily been called to discuss the arrangements for the participation of the Maori race in tho Waitangi Centennial celebrations.

The feeling of the conference was that ihe Maoris should light side by side with the Europeans in whatever sphere of the war that was assigned to the New Zealand troops. The Maoris should serve as warriors, not as labourers, as the Pioneer Battalion of Maoris was largely used in the last war. Iloko Wlfftu a Tu Exception was also taken to the suggestion that the Maori force should be called the Treaty of Waitangi battalion. It was considered that the title “Iloko Whitu a Tu" was the most appropriate title. This means “lighting force,” and was the name given to the first Maori force to leave New Zealand in the Great War. A letter from Sir Apirana Ngata stated that it was hoped to revive the Pioneer Battalion, and the Minister of Defence, the lion. F. Jones, had asked for a report from hir department's offices bn this policy. The conference decided to despatch a letter to the Prime Minister, stating that the northern Maoris, especially the Ngapuhis, who formed the greater part of the conference, were loyal to the British Crown and to the Government of New Zealand in the prcsenF crisis.