Patriotic Maoris

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 October 1916, Page 2

Patriotic Maoris

-'0,000 ACRES FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS. AVelliiigtoil, Last Night. The Hon. W. H. Hemes received the following telegram from the Hon. Dr Pomare. from Tokaauu, on October 3rd— ''I conferred' with a representative g-ithering of Tuwharetoas at Wailii and Tokaanu yesterday. It was decided by the Te Heathen, Tukiuo, Kingi, lopia and Tuwha-retoa tribe to set aside the Ohanvko Block of 25,301 acro.s for settlement by returned Maori soldiers irrespective of the tribe or tribes to which they belong. The land! is to be an absolute gift from the Tuwharetoa people to Maori soldier settlers. It gives me much pleasure to be able to inform you tliat this great fcolfsacrifice has been made by one of our Maori tribes, and I know you wit appreciate the spirit which prompted the making of the gift. Kia ora." The iNative Minister telegraphed to the donors through Dr. Pomare:— "Thanks 011 behalf of the Government for the magnificent gift. Tlie machinery enabling such gifts of land to bo made U6e of for the purpose indicated was' provided last session in the Native Washing-up Bill. It is gratifying to find that the native tribes are recognising their responsibilities to those of their race who have gone to the war, and it is to be hoped that this will be a precursor to other gifts of a similar nature." It is understood tliat- some of the East Coast tribes have views of a similar nature. Money has also been freoly subscribed) by the natives for patriotic purposes. Yesterday Mr Herrics received £50 for patriotic purposes from tlie chiefs of the Te Arawa tribe at Rotoiti. —awwaPfßw—w