P.B. RECRUITING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20076, 24 October 1939, Page 4

P.B. RECRUITING

MAORIS PREDOMINATE j OFFERS OF SERVICES PAR ELI A LIST FALLS OFF AGGREGATE NEARS 700 Taking into account both the European and Maori enlistments, nearly 700 men of the Gisborne and East Coast district have offered their services for the army, and though the flow of European recruits has fallen off noticeably, that of Maori enrolments is still maintained at a good level.

The total of Maori enlistments reached to-day was 112, and it is

known that there are still a number of returns to be handled. There is every indication that the district will have a generous margin over its quota for the j first draft of the Maori Battalion, and j should be able to maintain its numbers | by way of reinforcements.

A substantial proportion of the native volunteers are married men, ancl it has been recognised that Maoris marry younger than Europeans, on the average, in view of which fact those with only a wife, or a wife and one child dependent upon them are being called up for medical examination with a view to their acceptance for the battalion. Other married men are being set back in the meantime, though their services may be required later.

Appreciation of Cabinet

Much interest will attach to a note of appreciation received by the district Maori representative in Parliament. Sir Apirana Ngata. from the Prime Minister, in which the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage acknowledges the offer of cooperation and assistance in raising a special Maori force. This offer was made some weeks ago, shortly after the outbreak of the war, from a meeting of representative Maoris of the older generation in the Gisborne and East Coast districts.

"My colleagues and I very much appreciate the offer of co-operation and assistance conveyed in the resolution, and we wish to express our grateful thanks in this connection,” the Prime Minister has written to Sir Apirana.

A copy of the letter has been forwarded to Mr. J. P. Ferris, secretary of the meeting of elders, and a veteran of the Maori Battalian which nerved in the Great War, who is associated with other veterans in the recruiting of the new Maori force. Men for Second Draft With regard to the Special New Zealand Military Force, of which the first draft is now in training in several camps, the date at which the second draft is to be called up is still uncertain. Indications have been given that the officers and non-commis-sioned officers for this second draft will be called IcTcamp about November or 8. lor a brief refresher course before taking over the units of unrained men drawn from the lists of enrolments in' all districts. It is probable, therefore, that the second quota of untrained men from this district will go into camp about November 15 or 16.

There are almost, sufficient men now classe 1 as fit to fill the second quota from Poverty Bay and the East Coast and it should not be difficult to find he small number of additional li! men. It is considered by the Army authorities that when the second call is made, a resuscitation of recruiting interest can be counted upon.

Additional enrolments filed at the Gisborne office of the Army Department to-day were as under:— N.Z. Maori Battalion Wall, Edward, married, 25 years. Tokomaru Bay, motor mechanic. Taihuka, Tamarangi, single, 21 years, Ormond, shepherd. Poutu, William, single, 22 years. Hicks Bay, labourer. White, Mark, single, 22 years. Hicks Say, labourer. Pohatu, Thomas, single 2(1 years, Manutuke, shearer. Morete, Urikore, single, 27 years, Pehiri, contractor, Kemp, Pera te Kauru, single, 21 years, Muriwai, shepherd. Matete Te Awarau, Paora, single, 29 years, Te Puia, dairyfarmer. Papalene, IToera, single, 27 years, Te Puia, farm worker. Harrison, Miki, single, 25 years, Waipiro Bay shearer. Tamepo, Tawhai Riri, married. 42 years, To Puia, farmer. Babbington, Oliver., married, 22 years, Tokomaru Bay, labourer. Mcflroy, Hirini, married, 22 years. Waipiro Bay, labourer.

Tuho, Manawa, widower, 24 years Ruatoria, labourer Ngata, Moana, married, 41 years Te Ara.roa, farmer.

Koliere, Hone Hiki, single, 20 years, Te Puia, labourer.

Special N.Z. Military Force

Porter, Robert Edward, single, 21 years, Totangi, oil wells employee. Seymour, Brian, single. 22 years, Te Rata station, Whatatutu, station hand. Fuller, Horace Tillard, married, 27 years, Tikiwhata, tunneller.