MAORIS UPSET

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20085, 3 November 1939, Page 7

MAORIS UPSET

EUROPEAN OFFICERS NATIVE BATTALION STRONG PROTESTS’ MADE SIR A. NGATA’S VIEWS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Strong resentment was felt by Maoris at the published statement that European officers were being enlisted as possible company commanders in the Maori Battalion, said Sir Apirana Ngata, in an interview in Wellington last night.

Sir Apirana said he had received the following telegram from Mr. H. Tai Mitchell, of Rotorua: —

"The Arawas view with concern and object strongly to the press statement regarding pakeha officers as company commanders in the Maori Battalion. Recruiting among the Arawas has been influenced greatly by the announcement that the Maori battalion would be officered by Maoris with the exception of key positions; I suggest that key positions are those of the battalion commander, adjutant, quarter-master and regimental ser-geant-major. The Arawas consider they have talent available with the ability to fill all positions. Other tribes are undoubtedly in a similar position.”

Recruiting Keen

Recruiting for the Maori Battalion in Rotorua and Bay of Plenty districts had been very keen and enthusiastic, said Sir Apirana. Enlistments to date were: Two hundred and eight single men, 34 married men with no dependants, 306 with one child and 81 others, a total of 353. That was the strongest representation of any district in New Zealand.

In view of the well-known patriotism of the Arawas as exemplified by the figures mentioned, their objection to what might be deemed a breach of faith with them and other Maori tribes was entitled to the serious consideration of the Government.

Similar concern was shown in telephone messages received from the Gisborne district. Up to Wednesday, recruiting in that district was a little short of 250. Great resentment was shown by Maori returned soldiers, many of whom had enlisted to give the younger men of the East Coast tribes a lead in enlisting for the Maori Battalion.

It was proposed to bring the matter before the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, and the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J Savage, in the next day or two.