New Zealand.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 22, 26 May 1915, Page 6

New Zealand.

MAORIS FOR THE FRONT. PEB PkESS . ASSOCIATION; Auckland, May 25. The Hon. Dr. Pomare,. the Minister representing the Native race, arrived ill Auckland this morning, mainly for the purpose of making arrangements for the training of the next contingent of Maori soldiers for the front. The first contingent, Dr., Pomare states, created a splendid impression in Kgypt, and official correspondence proves that General Birdwood and the other military authorities were particularly pleased with the stamp of man of which the contingent was made up: Tho result is that it has now been decided that the Maoris shall go to the front, and as soon as their training is complete they will proceed to the Dardanelles. Whether the men who went to Malta will, return to Egypt for further training Dr. Pomare does not know, but it is intended that they shall go.into the firing line in about two months' time. In the meantime a system of continual recruiting will proceed, so that the present expeditionary force may be kept up to its full strength, and as the first reinforcement 330 men will be selected to go into cam]) at Auckland for active training. The physical standard required will undergo some alteration. The first contingent consisted of men of an average height of sft 9i|J; and an average weight of over I2st. To selecting, men for, the new quota the minimum height will be, reduced from. sft. Sin. to sft. Gin.

The first reinforcements.will be MO strong and will go into immediate training at Auckland. A,force of natives at, Rarotonga is also, under steady training, and it is likely that the Cook Islands will supply a fine stamp of recruit. They will not be brought to Auckland.to join, the, first reinforcements, however, as winter weather here would, it is considered, oe unsuitable. They .will-join a later quota.