MAORIS & WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 August 1940, Page 6

MAORIS & WAR

REMARKABLE RECRUITING FIGURES MANY VOLUNTEERS READY FOR TRAINING. AMPLE REINFORCEMENTS FOR BATTALION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The total number of enlistments for the Maori Battalion and reinforcements to July 22, when voluntary recruiting ceased, was 4,103. This includes 213 enlistments on July 22. The response of the Maori population to the appeal for volunteers has been particularly gratifying and shows that the members of the Maori race are at least as ready as their pakeha brothers to share the burden of preserving their freedom and independence. The total number of Maori males, including half-castes, between the ages of 21 and 35 years (which for most of the recruiting period were the prescribed age limits) at the census of March 24, 1936, was 9,355. The total enlistments represent approximately 43 per cent of that number, which, it must be remembered, includes men who for many reasons, such as being married and having more than two children, were ineligible for enlistment. A total of 3,077 men have been medically examined. Of that number, 2,182 have been classed as fit for overseas service. Those classified as temporarily unfit and permanently unfit number 409 and 486 respectively. Of those classed as fit, 1,211 have been despatched to camp and 708 are available for camp at any time. Without taking account of the large number still to be medically examined, there are more than sufficient men to provide for Maori Battalion reinforcements for some time to come and to cover any wastage which may occur during their training.