UNWILLING MAORI RECRUITS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1918, Page 5

UNWILLING MAORI RECRUITS.

CARRIED OUT OF A WHAREPUNI By TelegrapV—Press Association Auckland, Last Night. 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 mating, called for the purpose of discussing conscription matters, had been in progress for the past two or tlireo weeks. Apparently the visit was not unexpected, for the police were met at the entrance to the* pah by a bevy of girls, numbers of whom were equipped with brass band instruments, from which they produced music of somewhat uncertain tune; The maidens escorted the police to the meeting house, in which four hundred native? were assembled. , " > After the officers were seated the '£hieftainess asked Sergeant Waterman to set out the purpose of the visit The sergeant replied that they desired to do' their duty in a friendly way, and'read a list of those for whom warrant® been issued, asking that any present should step forward. V - The chieftainess replied that if it wqre desired that any Maoris should go t? the war the police would have to take them. ' 1 After giving the Maoris another the officers proceeded to make the rests. The first arrestee was Te "Raw Anga Mahuta, brother of the Maori King. He was seated in a position of honor, surrounded by a number of girls. "As tha three police advanced, three girlsSitobd 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 Sir others were also carried out, no more than passive resistance being offered in any case. The arrestees were conveyed to Auckland and taken to Narrow Neek Camp. ,