MUST HELP MOTHER COUNTRY

Shannon News, 6 August 1929, Page 2

MUST HELP MOTHER COUNTRY

MAOEI M.P. SUPPORTS COMPULSORY SERVICE.

mr tuiti Mcdonald cites mosaic law.

WELLINGTON, August 1.

The Maori viewpoint in regard to military training and to war was stated in the House las't night by the member for Southern Maori (Mr Tuiti Makitanara) during the debate on the Compulsory Military Service Bepeai Bill Mr Makitanara strongly opposed the measure and quoted Scripture at some length to show that there would be wars and rumours of wars until the end of time. Mr Makitanara said that nothing had been said during the debate to cause him to support the Bill. NewZealand had to be ready for any emergency call from the Mother Country. ° Mr H. T. Armstrong (Christehurch East): But the Mother Country hasn't got compulsion. Mr Makitanara: If it wasn't for the Mother Country you wouldn't be in Parliament. Mr Makitanara went on te quote the Maori proverb which read: "He who dietli with a spear thrust dies the death of a chief, but he who dieth at a doorstep dieth the death of a vagabond." The Maoris trained for war from the'time they were fourteen years of age. The boys used to be lined up and spears were thrown at them. Mr Armstrong: The dark ages. Mr Makitana: Yes, and even in the dark ages you wouldn't stand a spear being thrown at you. (Laughter). So many spears were thrown at the young warrior and if he could parry them be was all right. At this stage interjections were coming from all directions and Mr Speaker deemed it necessary to point out that every member had the right to speak without being interrupted. He would have to deal with members who persisted in interrupting. As the result of his training, said Mr Makitanara, the Maori became trained in the art of war. There was a Maori chief who said, "War is the playgrouna of warriors, and the pastime of chiefs. Some of their leading church dignitaries were saying that war was vile, abominable, terrible.

A voice: Archaic. Mr Makitanara: Yes, and worse than that. (Laughter). The church dignitaries quoted one of the Ten Commandments, "Thou shalt not kill," but according to the Mosaic law that did not apply to-war-but to; individuals. That was clearly demonstrated after the death of Moses. Mr Samuel: What's that? (Laughter)- , T r. Mr Makitanara said that when Joshua was leading the Children of Israel to the Promised Land he was commanded by the Lord to slay all his enemiesmen, women, children and beasts. That was the command of the Lord Jehovah himself. Mr Speaker: May I suggest that th = hon. member comes back to the Bill?

(Laughter). Mr Makitanara said that war was necessary and training was necessary. Mr Armstrong: What for? Mr Makitanara: You'll find out what for soon. (Laughter). It was the duty of every British subject in the colonies to fight for the Mother Country because their only protection lay in tho Mother Country. That was why he thought every clause in the present Act should be retained.