Regrouping of Maori Armed Forces

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 206, 29 August 1942, Page 4

Regrouping of Maori Armed Forces

Third Battalion to be Formed Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug. 28. The War uauinet has approved a plan for tho regrouping ox biaori personnel in the Armeu x orces into exclusively Maori units, with Maori officers and lion-cummissioned officers. iIIOU. i J . ix. Paikea stated to-nigat that inis aad been receiveu witn inc utmoj-t satisfaction and delight by Maori people througaout the uomimon. The Maoris, saia the Minister, lelt in this movement an appeal to their racial pride, an opportunity to accept responsibility in keeping with their past traditions and a right to express ihem- • seives in tneir own Maori ways. This must not be construed as a reversion to obsolete methods of organisation, but, on the contrary, us an ndaptiou of modern methods based on that outstanding and ancient characteristic of tho Maori to co-operate with one another in the attainment of a common object. oince the Government had authorised the establishment of the Maori war effort organisation, continued the Minister, encouraging and satisfactory progress had been achieved in putting in’*» operation tho measures and principles involved. Tribal committes were being established rapidly ull over the Dominion and* their duties would be to cooperate iu recruiting Maori men of eligible military ugo lor the third Maori battalion and other Maori units and in tho campaign lor increasing production. Generally, they would assist in directing and placing the remaining manpower and womanpower of the Maori pooplo where it was calculated best to serve tho interests of their country. Mr. I’aikea said tho approval given to the formation of adaiLonai Maori units had been acclaimed by the Maou people as a movement close to their hearts. The Minister said tho revival of leadership in the Maori people, whether it be in the fighting services or .a xueir settlements, might oe calculated to prove of vital importance to the future development and welfare of Ch* race. On the production side of the Maori war effort, the Minister concluded that the response of the Maori people haa been most enthusiastic. Preparations were being made for the.production of additional vegetables and other food’ stuffs in order to meet the abnormal war demands.