NEWS AND NOTES

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 906, 18 October 1910, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES

Colonel Gadke, the well-known German army and navy writer, writing on the recent manoeuvres in the Berlina Tagblatt, espresses the conviction that the British Army does not compare with the French, German, Austrian, or Japanese Armies, and by present training is not fit for conflict with a Continental Army. Great Britain, says Colonel. Gadke, is not placed among the first-class military Powers, but her raw material is eminently good, and need yield to that of no other country in the world. Their commanders, however, have no idea of handling the troops in masses, and the Generals show unsound tactics.

In the course o£ an interview, Judge McCormick, of the Native Eand Court, explained some interesting views as to the future of the Maori race. “For the present,” the Judge said, “ the future of the Maori is bound up in the land. If he is severed from the land he is more likely than not to turn out a failure. I do not say he has no capacity for general pursuits. On the contrary, he possesses a distinct aptitude in that direction, but is not yet ripe to leave the land. Of course, there are exceptions. Some Maoris could match themselves against Europeans in any walk of lite, and striking examples of the fact will occur to everybody. But what I say is generally true. Education is doing a great deal for the Maori, and will continue to do so in ah increasing degree. We hear a great deal of educated Maoris reverting to the old tribal customs after leaving college, but that proves nothing. It is the inevitable result of the influence of the mass oyer the ipjijvijjual, d n d it requires a vefy strong mind to resist influence. Environment has a powerful influence upon Europeans in just the same way. The Maori race will not subsist as a distinct race, They are merging with Europeans at a very fast rate, and I doubt whether in two or three generations there will be a purebred Maori left. The salvation of the present-day Maori will be found in icgular and constant work, if he can be taught it by seeing the value of it. It is always to be bourne in mind that he is only some two generations ago removed from pure savagery.”