MAORIS AGITATED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1794, 26 February 1918, Page 3

MAORIS AGITATED.

OVER MILITARY REGISTRATION.'

The Natives of the four Northern Maori tribes are greatly agitated over the compulsory registration under the Military Service Act (writes the Kawakawa correspondent of the New Zealand Herald). They state that the Aupouris, Earawas, Ngapuhis, and Ngatiwhatuas have already furnished 700 fighting men out of a total estimated population of 9,000, while other tribes further south have enlisted in very small numbers. They urge that if the compulsory clauses of the Act are enforced among the Northern tribes, it will be an ungrateful return for their loyal volunteering, and that compulsion should be resorted to only in the case of tribes that have failed to give their quota voluntarily. Peeling has been running high on the subject. At a representative gathering held here, Dr, Pomare and Mr Tau Henare addressed the meeting, and explained the situation. Several leading men replied to the Minister and the member, stating that when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed their \ hands were cleansed from warfare, and they were led to understand that they were to settle down in peace, i protected by the “great white queen,” who would spread her wings over them and fight for them. Dr. Pomare read letters from Mr Massey and Sir James Allen, both of which stated that Ngapuhis would not be conscripted until the Waikatos had provided their full quota. On this understanding, and after a great deal of explanation, the representatives decided to advise their peoples to register, and all present of military age went to the Courthouse to enrol.