“Maoris On The March”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29502, 2 May 1961, Page 6

“Maoris On The March”

(New Zealand Press Association)

ROTORUA. May 1. The Maori people were indeed on the march today, said the Minister of Maori Affairs (Mr Hanan) speaking to more than 1000 former members of the Maori Battalion in Rotorua today. The Minister said it would be a good thing if somebody would compose a peace-time version of the Maori Battalion marching song to further inspire that onward march.

Much of the high regard and respect the pakeha had for the Maori was engendered by his respect for the Maoris’ fighting qualities, Mr Hanan said.

“The fighting reputation of the 28th Maori Battalion in World War II needs no embellishing.” he said. “As one who served alongside the battalion at Minquar Qualm, I can testify that it is a reputation well-earned, and which

firmly secured the prestige of the Maori people in the minds of the pakeha people generally,” Mr Hanan said that he knew of no more inspiring epic of the Second World War than that in which Lieutenant Ngarimu won the V.C. that ghastly but glorious night when members of the Maori Battalion won every award possible for bravery. ’ “For me and for you, the great question mark is—Has their sacrifice been worth while?” said Mr Hanan. “The answer depends on how we live our own lives, and if we have made the most of the opportunities that they made possible for us.

“If we succeed, we in large could have done better, there is one thing we can still do. and that is to inspire and encourage the young people to grasp the opportunities now open to them on all sides.

“If we suceed, we in large measure discharge the debt we owe to those of Our comrades who did not come back.” Mr Henan said. “Those of us who were comrades in arms of the Maori servicemen will not let you down in times of peace, as you did not let us down in time of war,” he said. “We shared the privations—we must share the fruits of peace.”