MAORI BATTALION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 43, 20 February 1942, Page 6

MAORI BATTALION

FOR HOME DEFENCE

.The question of forming,a Maori battalion for home defence was discussed by the War Council yesterday afternoon. The Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) said last night that a recommendation on this matter had been submitted for the consideration of War Cabinet.

A brief summary of the morning proceedings of the council was given yesterday. When the council, met in the afternoon consideration was given to reports submitted by the defence and military, affairs and the primary and secondary industries committees of the council.

"The desirability of passing regulations to ensure. that all members of the Home Guard discharge their duties and to provide adequate personnel for Home Guard units, as is done, in the case of the Emergency Reserve Corps, was discussed," said Mr. Fraser last night. "Consideration was also given to the addition of certain further industries to the schedule of 'essential industries,' the remuneration to be paid to persons directed into essential work and the procedure to be followed in directing them into work of this character, and many other questions of an important nature.

"Recommendations on the questions mentioned above and on other matters discussed by the council have been submitted for the consideration of War Cabinet."