MAORI VOLUNTEERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 105, 6 May 1942, Page 6

MAORI VOLUNTEERS

NOT CALLED FOR DUTY

SOUTH ISLAND CAMP URGED

(0.C.) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday

Reservists called by ballot for service with the armed forces are being medically examined, and if found fit posted to camp almost immediately, but Maoris, not liable to conscription, who volunteered months ago, have not been called and have little prospect of being called. Consequently the Maoris concerned feel they are not being fairly treated, and are expressing dissatisfaction with the position.

A statement to this effect was made yesterday by Mr. J. H. Kingi, Area 10 recruiting officer for Maoris. He added that some of the men had been waiting for seven months and even more. A few of them had been allowed to enter Territorial camps. The position could be met to the satisfaction of all if a camp in the South Island was opened. Four or five hundred Maoris could be recruited without difficulty, and if necessary reinforcements, waiting or willing to enter camp, could be transferred from the North Island. In an effort to have such a camp opened, Mr. R. M. Taiaroa had offered to the Defence authorities 200 acres of land and a 12-roomed house at Taumutu.