DEFENCE MINISTER AND WAIKATO MAORIS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 229, 24 November 1916, Page 2

DEFENCE MINISTER AND WAIKATO MAORIS.

To-day's Conference at Mercer. Appeal to Natives to Enlist The Hon. Jhs. Allen, M P. (Minister of Defence) paid a visit to Mercer to-day for ♦he purpose of explaining to the Waikato Maoris the position as regards the war and to appeal to them as loyal members of the British Empire to undertake their share of responsibility in the firing line. Several hundred natives had assembled in Mercer for the occasion, including representatives of most of the tribes in New Zealand, and among the arrivals yesterday were the Hon. Dr Pomare, M.P. (Member of the Executive Council representing the Native iiace i and the Hon A.. T. Ngata, M.P. The Minister arrived by train from Auckland at 9.52 a.m. and was met at the station by Mr R. F. Bollard, M.P. and the Hons. Dr Pomai e and Mr Ngata, as also by the chiefs ofvarious tiibes. Mr Allen was acorn panied by Col. G. W. 8. Patterson, officer commanding the Auckland district, together with a platoon of 75 Maoris from Narrow Neck Camp under Capt. Peacock. Dr Pomare addressing the Minister on his arrival, mentioned that the natives had not assembled, as had been supposed, to take part in any coronation anniversary celebrations but for the purpose of hearing what he (the Minister of Defence) had to say to the Waikato tribe seeing that only five Waikato Maoris out of from 500 to 1000 eligibles had so far enlisted. Chiefs from other tribes were present to support the Minister and to impress upon their Waikato colleagues their resentment of their non-fulfilment of obligations seeing that their (the visitors') relatives were doing their share in hostilities Various deputa iors to the ter followed and this afternoon the Minister, addressed the natives, and pointed out that all other tribes in the Dominion, with the exception of the Waikato Maoris, had responded well to the appeal for men He believed, however, the Waikato men still possessed the chivalry of their forefathers, but he felt there was fome influence keeping them back. Only last night he had signed a document calling up by compulsion pakeha members of the Expeditionary Force but he did not desire to enforce the same method with the natives. He had rendered an invitation to the Chiefs that day

to discuss the matter. The Minister's speech was loudly applauded by the Natives. Tupu Taingakawa, chief adviser t« the late " King " Mahutu, speaking on behalf of the Waikato chiefs, said he was an aggrieved man as from 1861 right down to the present time. He did not nurse any feelings of revenge. He proceeded: "Who was it uttered the words 'Let the young men go if they choose?' I did. This was also " King " Rata's opinion " He went on to say that he had not used influence as suggested by the Minister. He had not placed any obstacle in the way of recruiting in the district In conclusion, he said, I repeat tho words "Those who want to go, let them go." The Minister, again speaking to the natives, said he would wait patiently to hear the result of the meeting that da v.