MAORIS AND THE NAVY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 261, 4 August 1928, Page 8

MAORIS AND THE NAVY

ARE THEY INELIGIBLE TO JOIN?

Dominion Special Service.

Auckland, August 3.

A conference between the Akarana Maori Association and Archdeacon Hawkins, of the Maori Anglican Mission, was held in regard to the ineligibility of members of the Maori race for the Royal Navy. This is a question that lias been discussed in association circles for some time past, and after correspondence with the Naval Office at Wellington, it was suggested that Archdeacon Hawkins, who had interested himself in. the same matter, should confer with the association.

It was made quite clear in the course of the discussion that there was no regulation in existence which debarred Maoris or any other native-born British people from entering tlie navy. On the other hand, the traditional policy of the navy was to keep the personnel confined to men of British parentage. It was even suggested that Englishmen were preferred. Recruiting from tlie extreme north of Scotland and tlie Highlands, for instance, was not even encouraged.

The secretary was requested again to communicate with the Naval Office and ask for further, particulars. It was suggested incidentally that this traditional ban might not apply to men of Maori descent even if it did to actual Maoris and half-castes.