LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 275, 2 September 1939, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From “the Guardian,” Sept. 2, 1889) Acclimatisation Society.—The annual meeting of the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society was held on Friday afternoon. There was a good attendance of members and Mr A. H. Shury occupied the chair. Among other matters the report mentioned that during the past ye ay the Society had turned, out in the river 13,000 trout, which had been purchased from the Christchurch Society. The election of officers resulted:—President, Mr W. G. Walker; vice-presidents, Messrs D. -McLean-and E. M. Goodwin; treasurer, Mr E. G. Crisp ; secretary,-Mr E.--Simpson-; committee, Messrs Fox, Shury, It. McOwen, J. H. Stephens, and* R. Bird. A note of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO (From “the Guardian,” Sept. 2, 1914) Maori Volunteers.—'When the House met this evening, Mr G. M. Thomson asked the iPremier whether, in view of the fact that Indian troops were to be employed by the Biritisn. Government in Europe, he ..would consider the question of - accepting the services of Maoris. . In reply Mr Massey said he had a good deal of sympathy with the suggestion. He always understood that it was the custom not to employ coloured troops in European war, but now that Indians were goin" the position, was changed. The Maoris were free citizens and should be allowed to®share in British citizenship, and not be denied the right to fight for the Empiye. He would make representations to> the Government on the subject. Sir Joseph "Ward said it appeared that a relaxation of the restriction under which the Maoris were previously placed might well be given affect to. The Hon. A. T. Ngata said there was undoubtedly a desire on the part of the Maoris to stand shoulder to shoulder with their fellow New Zealanders in the war, but he pointed out that the Maoris lived mostly in areas Which were exempt from military training, and, ’although the Maori was as enthusiastic as the pakeha, he had greater need for training. The Maoris were well equipped in minor qualifications of a soldier, especially so in the matter of commissariat but they needed teaching how to use a gun and obey words of command. The Arawas had offered 300 men, and the Wairoas had also offered a contingent. He hoped 'to accompany the troops in a humble position.