MAORI PATRIOTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 347, 22 February 1902, Page 2

MAORI PATRIOTS.

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, lavt night. The Premier has received the following despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to-day :—The Governor has received a cable from the Secretary of Slate for the Colonies informing him that His Majesty’s Government, received with extreme gratification the offer of the Maoris to serve in any part of the Empire, and tiiey warmly appreciate the splendid loyalty and patriotism which has inspired it. They much regret that the service so freely offered cannot at present be made available in South Africa or elsewhere. In the event of any opportunity arising for the employment of the services of the Maoris in the defence of the Empire, His Majesty’s Government will giadly utilise it, and call on a race whose military qualities are so well known. The peculiar circumstances which have compelled His Majesty’s Government to refuse this offer of a Maori contingent for South Africa led to similar refusals in.other instances, notably in" the case of His Majesty’s Indian Army, and that of forces proffered by Indian feudatory princes. Speaking at Mokihinni to-day, the Premier referred to the above despatch and said lie had no faith in the rash promises given to the Boers by His Majesty’s Government, that they would only employ Europeans in connection with the hostiities in South Africa. He believed that if Native Contingents had been sent from New Zealand they would quickly have shown their.merits, and have rendered great, service to the British cause in South Africa.