MAORI ENLISTMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 252, 1 August 1940, Page 4

MAORI ENLISTMENTS.

TOTAL OF 4103 VOLUNTEER.

FIT MEIN NUMBER! 2182.

(Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, This Day

The total number of enlistments lor the Maori battalion and reinforcements to July 22, wlieli voluntary recruiting ceased, was 4103. This includes 213 enlistment.s 1 on that day. The response of the Maori population to the appeal for volunteers has been particularly gratifying and shows that members of the Maori race are at least as ready as their pakeha brothers to share the burden of preserving freedom and independence. The total number of Maori males, including half-castes, between the ages of 21 and 3*5, which for most of the recruiting period wore the prescribed ago limits, at the census taken on March 21, 1936, was 93-5-5. The total enlistmentq represent approximately 43 per cent, of that number, which, it must he remembered, includes men who for many reasons, such as being married and having more than two children, were ineligible for enlistment. A total of 3077 have been medically examined. Of that number 2182 have been classed as fit for overseas service. Those classified temporarily unfit and permanently unfit number 409 and 48G respectively. Of those classed fit 1211 have been despatched to camp and 708 are available for camp at any time. Without taking into account the large number still to he 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.