CONSCRIPTION OF MAORIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 159, 5 July 1917, Page 4

CONSCRIPTION OF MAORIS.

PROS. AND CONS. GATTTERXNG OF CtHTEFS. With the object of discussing the pro. posed conscription of Maoris, a gathering of chiefs representative of the Wat. kato. Ngatimaru, Ngapuhi, and Ngati. paoa tribes was held last night at tha Maori Hostel. Parnell. Keritoki Te Ahu said he was of opinion that the proposal aimed at the Wit. kaito tribe principally. The question needed the most careful consideration for the Waikatos were different in maay respects from the Aravvas. the Noatiporous, and the Hawke'6 Bay natives who had contributed quotas to later re! inforcemients. These tribes had no lon». standing differences with the Government, as had the Waikatos. If they had upproached the Waikatos the matter would have been thrashed out, and the probability was that the Waikatos would ■have joined with'them in sending men. The Government had stated that only a, few of the Waikatos had gone, but he asserted that over 200 had left foi battle. The speaker also claimed that under the Treaty of Waitangi the Gov. erament could not force conscription oa I the Maori race.

!Mate_a Te Waere. of the Ngatipaoas, said the present was not a fit time to discuss a question of such importance, as only a few chiefs of the leading tribes, the Haurakis and Waikatos, were present. He suggested that the d_cussj 0B be held over till a representative meeting could be gathered.

Te. Heuhou Tukixto, chief of the Taupos. advocated conscription. Ha said that the "Maoris should go, even if only to maintain their reputation as a, fighting race. "Mary of the best warriors had sprung from the Waikatos. Let this tribe, therefore, put aside all past grievances, for the present, at any rate, and fight for the Empire, of which they formed a part. A future meeting might be 7,00 late, so he would advocate immediate action unless ordered otherwise by tlie Maori King and his Prime Minister, Tupu Taingakawa. The speaker concluded by saying that he would always advocate the proposed conscription.

After much discussion it was decided to adjourn the meeting to Morrinsville on September 14. and to request tbe Government to withhold its decision til] that date.