MAORIS AND WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20912, 18 September 1939, Page 12

MAORIS AND WAR

FIGHTING FORCE WANTED WARRIORS, NOT LABOURERS (Special to Times) WHANGAREI, Monday (The resolution passed at a conference of North Auckland Maori leaders opposing the sending of a Maori force overseas has not met with the full support of the Mapris in the area, and strong objection to this attitude was taken at a further conference held at Waiomio, near Kawakawa. The second conference was more widely representative than the previous one, and had been called primarily to disquss the arrangements for the participation of thtf ‘-Maori race in the Waitangi Centennial celebrations. The feeling of the conference was that the Maoris should fight side by side with the pakehas in whatever sphere of the war that was assigned to the New Zealand troops. The Maoris should serve as warriors, not as labourers, as the Pioneer Battalion of Maoris was largely used in the last war. "Fighting Force” Exception was also taken to the suggestion that the Maori force should be called the Treaty of Waitangi battalion. It was considered that the title “Iloko Whitu a Tu" was the most appropriate title. This means “fighting force,” and was the name given to the 'first Maori force to leave New Zealand in the Great War. It was felt that the work of any Maori unit should be determined by the military authorities. A letter from Sir Apirana Ngata stated that it was hoped to revive the Pioneer Battalion, and the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, had asked for a report from his department's officers on this policy. Conscription Unnecessary The conference decided to. despatch a letter to the Prime Minister, stating that the northern Maoris, especially the Ngapuhis, who formed the greater part of the conference, were loyal to the British Grown and to the Government of New Zealand in tlie present crisis. The Prime Minister is to be asked to allow the members of the •Maori race to enlist for overseas service in a separate Maori unit. Conscription was regarded by the conference k s unnecessary for the Maori race, as at the last call to arms the young men of the race had responded in very large numbers. In connection with the Centennial celebrations Hie conference appointed a committee to act as hosts and to carry out the necessary arrangements. It was felt by the conference that, notwithstanding the war, these celebrations should be proceeded with.