Defence Minister On Officers For Maori Battn.

Northern Advocate, 4 December 1939, Page 3

Defence Minister On Officers For Maori Battn.

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”] ROTORUA, This Day.

The attitude of the Government towards the appointment of officers to the Maori Battalion and other matters concerning which some controversy has arisen is explained in a letter sent by the Minister for Defence (Mr Jones) to the president of the Araw.a Maori Returned Soldiers’ League. “I very much regret that your league has misinterpreted instructions issued to area officers regarding the selection of European officers for duty with the Maori Battalion .and that your league has seen fit to publish in the Press resolutions based on wrong assumptions,” the letter states. Government Responsibility.

“While the Government and the Army authorities welcome, and are quite willing to consider, any recommendations concerning the Maori Battalion which your league desires to submit, it must be understood that responsibility for the organisation, training and general wellbeing of the Battalion rests with the Government.

“You will before this, have read in the Press, or heard over the air. the announcement that I made, which indicates clearly what is being done concerning the selection and appointment of officers and n.c.o’s.

Age Limits.

“You will observe that full provision is being made for the selection and training of Maori officers. “I wish to point out that the age limit for officers of the Special Force, pakeha and Maori alike, are as follows: Subalterns, not older than 35; captains, not older than 40; majors, not older than 45; lieutenant-colonels, not older than 50.

“The age limits have already been raised by five years for each rank, and no further extension can be entertained for the Maori Battalion, unless the officer concerned has some special qualifications for an appointment for which a suitable officer within the age limit is not available. High Standard Essential.

“It is desired to emphasise that a very high standard of physical fitness is essential in leaders in order that they may stand the strain .and rigours of modern war, and experience has proved that officers over the ages laid down are generally unsuited for the strenuous and exacting duties required of regimental officers.”