IMPRESSIVE FIGURES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 July 1941, Page 4

IMPRESSIVE FIGURES

WAR EFFORT OF MAORI RACE

SURVEY BY MR PAIKEA.

REPATRIATION QUESTION.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, This Day.

The war effort of the Maori race was discussed in the House of Representatives yesterday, by Mr Paikea, representative of the Maoris on the Executive Council. He also paid' a tribute to the gallantry of the Maori Battalion overseas.

Total registrations for the Maori Battalion had now reached 4709, Mr Paikea said. For the Territorials the Maori total was ,862. This was evidence that, if the issue was properly placed before the tribes, they would realise their responsibilities and do their part for the safety of the country and their own homes.

Mr Paikea urged that when men were registered they should be put into training straight away. “We do not know what tomorrow may bring,” he said, “particularly when the Japanese are marching southward. They may not stop at Indo-China; they may go elsewhere, and that may mean New Zealand.” Machinery for the defence of the country should be prepared now, he continued.

Referring to a North Auckland Home Guard unit which had bought its own uniforms, he asked the Government to provide rifles for the unit. Repatriation was also discussed by Mr Paikea. He said that after the last war Maori returned men had not received the same treatment as pakehas with whom they had fought side by side. “Our job is to see that when they come back this time they receive equal treatment, and that the mistakes of the past are not repeated,” he said. The Minister proposed that Maori representation should be provided on rehabilitation committees.