MILITARY SERVICE.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 June 1918, Page 5

MILITARY SERVICE.

MAORI OBJECTORS. AN EXTRAORDINARY SCENE. AUCKLAND, June 11. Seven Maoris who were drawn in, the last Native ballot have been arrested at Mercer on charges of failing to parade for medical examination. The arrests were made by a party of seven civil police at the pah where a large meeting had been called for the purpose of discussing.conscription. The matter had been in progress for tne past two or three weeks. Apparently the visit was not unexpected, for the police were met at the entrance of the pah by a bevy of girls, a number of whom were equipped with brass 1 band instruments, from which they produced music of a somewhat uncertain tune. The maidens escorted the police to the meeting house, in whicE four hundred Natives were assembled After the officers had been seated, the Chieftainess asked Sergt. Waterman to state the purpose of the visit. The sergeant replied that they desired to do their duty in a friendly way, and he read a list of those for whom warrants had been issued, asking that an}- should step forward. The Chieftainess replied - that if it was desired that any Maoris should go to Uio war, the police would have to take them. JJJter giving the Maoris another Shance, the officers proceeded to make the-arrests. The first arrested was |pe Eangaanga Mahuta, a brother of the Maori King. Ee was seated in a position of honour, surrounded by a number of girls. As the three advanced, three girls stood in front of him and spread a flag in front of him. No active resistance was offered, but when 'called upon to come, the Maori made no response. He was lifted bodily and, carried out" of the building. .Six othpr.g were also carried out, no more, .than passive resjtet&neo-lifting offered in any case. The arrestees were conveyed to Auckland and taken to Narrow Neck Camp.