CONSCRIPTION OF MAORIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1917, Page 4

CONSCRIPTION OF MAORIS.

CABINET DECIDES ON IMM I 1)1 ATE ENROLMENT.

Auckland, June 14 “The question of extending the provisions of the Military Service Act to Maoris under the authority of section 50 in order to provide the reinforcements necessary to maintain the piorie. l* battalion at full strength has been under consideration for some time,’' said Sir James Allen to-day. “ Voluntary recruiting is not now producing the men required, and the need for selection by ballot has been hastened by reason of the fact that while the Maoris in most district* have responded splendidly to the call to service;.the tribes in one district have practically sent no men to the front.

“ Acting on the recommendation of the Recruiting Board, Cabinet has now decided to extend the provisions of the Military Service Act to the Maoris, and in accordance with this decision the Government Statistician has been instructed to proceed with the work of preparing for the enrolment of a Maori Expeditionary Force. It is proposed to divide the North Island into six Maori recruiting- districts, the boundaries of which will coincide as far as practicable with the boundaries of the present Maori land districts. It is anticipated that this preliminary work will be sufficiently advanced to enable the proclamation required by the statute to be gazetted in about a fortnight. “In view of the position that has arisen in connection with voluntary recruiting, it is quite possible that, as Minister for Defence. I may, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the issue of the proclamation under Section 50 of the Act, authorise the calling up of Maoris from any one recruiting district to the exclusion of others. No definite decision has yet been arrived at on this point.” The proclamation does not affect thejSouth Island, as there are few eligible Maoris there.