MAORI BATTALION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 64, 20 September 1939, Page 8

MAORI BATTALION

600 STRONG AUTHORITY GIVEN The announcement has been made by Mr A. F. Moncur, M.P. for Rotorua, that authority had been given, for the raising of a Maori Baittalion» Avith a strength of 600. In all probability the force, Avhcn enlisted and medically Avill be sent to Palanerston North for training. Authority to form the battalion, has brought to a fruitful end month; of Avork by Maori bodies in New Zealand, especially Te Arawa Maori Returned Soldiers' League. In July the League wrote to Major General Duigan that the Arawa people Avere Avhole-heartedly behind the) nioA-emen't, and AA r erc opposed to any suggestion of the Maori people losing their identity. Their in Avhich they avcre supported bv most other Maoris in New Zealand, was for the formation, of a Maori Battalion officered, Avith the exception of the commanding officer, entirely by Maoris. There Avere stated the League, many capable and Avar-exjjeri-enced Maori officers a Available to drill the new additions to their ranks. In other parts of the Empire regiments AA r ere formed from natiA*e races, as for example, the Gurkhas of Northern, India, and in the opinion of the League the Maoris should be given the same privilege. Already 400 mem bcrs of the Arawa confederation had signed as Avilling to join a Maori Battalion to serve in any capacity. HaA'ing received no replies to their communications to the Go\'ernment, other than a letter of acknowledgement from the Hon P. Fraser the League sent a telegraph message to him again, stating its 'dismay at the lack o.f response to its appeal, and the general official inactivity. The League also Avrcte to Mr A. F. Moricm'. asking for his co-operation Avith the result that the announcement shown above Avas made. It Avas pointed out by the president of the league, the Rev K. T. HaraAvira, that the A\'ish of the Arawa in this connection Avas to remove some difficulties encountered by member:? of the Maori Pioneer Battalion in the last Avar, and to haA'c an organisation ready for Avhen the Government should take over control. To this ciul 401) members of the -confederation of tribes had been enlisted unofficially and at the present time Avere undergoing elementary instruction by officers Avith Avar experience. So far the Tohourangi tribe had had three culminating in a church parade on Sunday, Avhich had been an outstanding succcss. Other at Horohoro. Ohincmutu. and Rotoiti., were also moA T ing toAvards regular drill. They Avere all remarkably keen and young men were swift in picking up the essentials of drill formation.