PATRIOTIC MAORIS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1620, 5 October 1916, Page 2

PATRIOTIC MAORIS.

GENEROUS OFFER OF LAND. 25,000 ACRES FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS. Wellington, Last Night. The Hon. W. IT. Kerries received the following telegram from the lion. Dr. Bonnire from Toknanu on October 3rd: —

“1 conferred with a representative gathering of Tuwhare tons at Waihi and Tokaanu yesterday. It was decided by the To Ileuheu, Tukino, Kingi, Topai and Tnwharefoa, tribes to set aside the Ohauko Block of 25,301 acres for settlement by returned Maori soldiers irrespective of (he tribe or tribes to which they belong. The land is to be an absolute gift from the Tuwhareloa people to Maori soldier settlers. It gives me much pleasure to be able to inform you that this great self-sacrifice has been made by one* of our Maori tribes, and I know you will appreciate the spirit which prompted (he making of the gift. Kia ora."

The Native At mister telegraphed to the donors through Dr. Roma re: —“Thanks on behalf of the Government for the magnificent gift. The machinery enabling such gifts of land to be made use of for the purpose* inda-aled was provided last session by the Native Washing-Up Bill- It i> most gratifying to find that the native tribes are recognising their responsibilities to (hose of their race who have gone to tin* war. and it is to be Imped that this will In- a precursor to other gifts of a. similar nature."

It is understood that some of the Cast Coast tribes have views of a

-iuidai nature. .Money has also been freely subscribed by the natives for patriotic purposes. Yesterday Mr I terries received. £SO for patriotic lands from tin* chiefs of the Te Arawa tribe at Rotoili.