NATIVES WANT TO BE OFF

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 18 September 1914, Page 4

NATIVES WANT TO BE OFF

TO THE WAR

APERE RAHAMA, of Hokianga, and now of Woodhill, where he has acquired a block of land which he intends to utilise all possible, called upon the ECHO this week in view of expounding his ideas on the war, Imperialism, and the position of the Maoris. His opinion is that there are a lot of natives who won't work (he saw two big fellows in their bunks as late as -noon the other day) yet would gladly join the expeditionary forces for the front if accepted. And that the Government should take advantage of natives willing to defend this or any other British possession, by training them as mounted rifles, etc., in the various native centres, so that they could be made efficient soldiers and ready at any time. Many natives, considering that their ancestors were great fighters for the Crown and they possess the same loyal blood and spirit, want to be made proficient fighters for the front, at the same time feeling somewhat jealous that the British Government have accepted the use of 70,000 Indians, while the Maori is ignored altogether. But though Rahama thinks it silly for his friends to want to rush the front, they not being trained men, he wants the Government to at once set about the necessary business, as there is no knowing how soon New Zealand may be called upon to supply thousands of men of every grade, to be off in the troop ships. The Government should not want for men and the old British cry '' always ready " should apply throughout this land. The natives are leady now.