The War

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 119, 13 October 1914, Page 8

The War

LOYALTY OP THE MAORIS.

GENEROUS GIFTS FROM GISBORXE. Wellington, Last Night.

In the House of Representatives tonight, tho Premier read a letter from :the natives of the Gisborne district, olTering a gift of £IOOO, to be allocated between the war fund and the Belgian relief fund as Cabinet may decide, the reading of which was received with loud applause. Following up the announcement regarding Maori troops, Mr Masscy said that while the war news received that day had not been encouraging, thero was no reason for despair. The Dominions ,and dependencies Would, Bend double and treble the men already offered. No price was too high to pay for Imperial supremacy.

'Mr Ngata expressed gratification at the way in which the nativo contributions had been received. Ho recognised that owing to the Imperial regulations it was not possible to accept a Maori contingent for active service at the front, but he was pleased to know that the Maoris would be employed in Egypt and Samoa. In selecting the Maori troops they had set .a very high standard. No man had been taken under s[t lOin, so that the very best Maori people would go forth, even if only for service in Egypt and Samoa. _Mr Russell heartily endorsed what Mr Ngata had said, and expressed the gratification of the Opposition at the splendid generosity of the natives.

AUCKLAND GIVES OVER £50,00)5.

Auckland, Last Night. The Auckland Citizens' Patriotic Fund has now reached a total of £50,080. Nearly £IO,OOO has been paid into the fund at the Herald oilice opened in conjunction with the main fund.

Forty members of the New riymouth Fire Brigade and two members of the

railway division attended their military parade last night, and were put through various movements and given an explanation of the mechanism of the rifle. Major Fletcher was in charge of the parade, assisted by Lieutenants Crutch and Hartnell.