MAORI OUTLOOK ON THE WAR.

Taihape Daily Times, 18 April 1918, Page 6

MAORI OUTLOOK ON THE WAR.

VIEWS OF TWO RETURNED SOLDIERS. As the speeches of the two returned Maori soldiers, who were publicly welcomed, were somewhat interesting as showing how Maori soldiers at the front are impressed with the war situation, request has been made for their publication. They are as follows: — i. Rawiri Mata Parac, in acknowledging the welcome give nlm said: On behalf of the returned soldiers of the Taihape district, I think it is about up to every one of us to our gratitude to the good people in Taihape who have so much for us, and what they are doing for the boys now at the front. I also want to express 'my tnaTnks, and the thanks of others, to the Women’s Working Club for what they have done for us and for the benefits my comrades at the front are getting from them and which are beyond all words of praise: I dare say you all felt that when we left New Zealand the people had an idea in their heads that the first Maori Contingent were "out for a picnic. They were right in a way to think that. But when we got out to Egypt we found out that we Maoris didn't want any picnics, we were sad not to go shoulder to shoulder with our Pakeha friends, and help uphold the freedom of our country and our people. : You all know we got tired of the picnic in Egypt and applied to the Government to be allowed to go to the front and share the brunt of the fighting with our Pakeha friends, and our petition was granted. I can assure you, one and all in this hall to-night, that although I am a cripple and broken down, if the Government want me to go back to-morrow or some other day I am willing to go and do my bit over again for my King and country. I advise our soldiers that are to be

#wide awake and take the first chance to fill the gaps that have been left by their brothers who have fallen, to sacrifice everything for Home, King, ami Empire.—Prolonged applause. Private Geo. Waldron said he 'had to apologise for not being a speak like Lloyd George or Bill Massey. His speech would not look well advertised in the Taihape “Times.” He was glad to say he had got back to New Zealand once more after three years at the front doing “my own little bit” with my comrades for King and Empire, and for our little young ones In this Dominion. Why I was so glad to return was for the sake of seeing New Zealand again. Probably I shall I return to the front again; I hope so very soon after I am recovered from sickness. I like to express my thankfulness to the members of the Women’s Working Club of Taihape for what they have done for me in sending me comforts while I was in the trenches. I also thank the members of the Patriotic Association for tbe good they are doing for returned soldiers. My comrades in the trenches when I left to come home, were all enjoying themselves, and were in the best spirits. I thank the Lady Liverpool League ladies for giving us this dance—l really enjoyed the dance very much—to welcome us returned Maori back to New Zealand. I can only say keep up the hearts of my comrades at the front, do what you can always for them, for they are doing most splendid work,’ day and night in the trenches. We were all cheered and made happy by what people in the Dominion had done for the Dominion’s sons since they went to this great war.—Applause.