Splendid Response To Campaign For Maori Recruits

Northern Advocate, 14 July 1941, Page 8

Splendid Response To Campaign For Maori Recruits

The Maori people are determined that the Maori Battalion overseas, will be maintained at full fighting strength and that Maoris not eligible for overseas service should train with the territorial or Home Guard units. “This position was made plain by the Maori people to me at all the many gatherings that I have held in Northland during the past fortnight,” said the representative of the Native Race on the Executive Council (Hon. P. K. Paikea), when speaking today on the question of Maori recruiting. At all meetings the Maoris were opposed to conscription of members of their race, as they considered that this step was not necessary and that more than sufficient volunteers would be forthcoming to fill all the manpower requirements from the race. Mr. Paikea To Return North

Mr. Paikea has just returned from the Far North and he has held meetings in all centres, with the exception of Kaikohe. It was not possible to arrange a meeting there on account of the restrictions imposed as a result of the meningitis outbreak. Mr. Paikea will return north later, when he will speak at Kaikohe. All Available Men Enlisted

He mentioned that in some of the smaller Maori settlements all available eligible men had enlisted. He instanced Pukepoto, near Kaitaia, where net one eligible man was left.

Fifteen men from the settlement were overseas, two v/ere in training camp and two waiting to be called up. It must be remembered, said Mr. Paikea, that the percentage of eligible Maoris is lower than is the case of the Pakeha. Maoris generally marry young and raise a large family. With the present limitation by the military authorities as to accepting men with more than two children, this prevents many young Maoris from enlisting for service.

Recruiting Agents Appointed

During the tour of Northland 43 recruiting agents were appointed in the various districts. These men will give their services voluntarily, but official advice has now been received that reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be met by the Government. Already these recruiting agents have secured a number of enlistments in both overseas and home defence forces.

Speaking of the position in the Waikato and King Country. Mr. Paikea said that he had visited these areas prior to coming north and that the position there was most satisfactory. He had received this advice from Mr. Hetet, of Te Kuiti (an officer in the Maori Battalion during the last war), who was in charge of Maori recruiting in the King Country, and from Mr. Tonga Mahuta, uncle of King Koroki, in charge of recruiting in the Waikato. Northland Recruiting Officers

The following is a list of Maori recruiting officers appointed in the various parts of Northland by the Hon. P. K. Paikea, during his tour of Northland: Whangarei, Toetoe,, Otaika. Whakapara, Kamo, Pataua, Portland and Oakleigh: E. Davis, Kiripaka Road, Whangarei. Takahiwai: Henare Keepa, Takahivvai. Mangakahia: W. Rika, Pakotai. Pipiwai: Hetaraha Anaru, Pipiwai. Wairua Falls, Titoki and Poroti: Hone Kawe Tito, Titoki P.O. Ngunguru: Bert Wellington, Tutukaka. Whananaki and Whangaruru: Hami Pu, Whananaki. Waiomio and Kawakawa: Tawai Kawiti, Waiomio, Motatau and Towai: Ariki Hoterene. Motatau. Otiria: Henare Keretene, Otiria. Waikare: Wiri Werekake, Waihaha P.O. Te Karetu: Tongi te Ngaero Davis Te Karetu. Te Tii: Wiremu Karena, Te Tii, Purerua P.O. Takou: Nohomotu Paora, Tipene P.O. Kerikeri: J. K. Rihari, Kerikeri. Waimate North: Wi Hau Napia, Waimate North. Pupuke and Patunga: Rev. Keina Poata, Pupuke. Kaeo, Omaunu and Mangaiti: Hapeta Renata, Kaeo. Otangaroa, Saies, Waitaruke, Taupo and Te Akatere: Tame Paeara, Waitaruke R.D. Mangamuka, Orow'au and Mangataipa: Joe Stevens, Mangamuka. Oturu: Arthur Gibbons, Kaitaia. Pamapuria, Takahue and Victoria Valley: Wiremu Karaka, R.D. Kaitaia. Te Hapua, Te Kao, Ngataki and Waihopo: Hemi | Manuera, Te Kao. Awanui, Waimanoni, Kareponia, Kaingaroa: George Marsden, Awanui. Waipapakauri, Waiharara and Paparoa: Hohepa Hemi, Waipapakauri; Kenana, Parapara, Whatuwhiwhi, Peria, Koteahua and Lake Ohia: Henare Piripi, Parapara. Ahipara: Mita Paratene, Ahipara. Kaitaia and Pukepoto: Hehi Rapihana, Kaitaia. Manukau, Rangikohu and Herekino: Fred Smith, Herekino P.O. Whangape, Owhata, Mehopa: Anaru Ngawaka, Whangape. Pawarenga, Broadwood, Awartia, Kakewai: Remo Hemi, Pawarenga. Panguru: Wiremu K. Topia, Panguru. Waihou: George King, Waihou, Panguru. Motuti: Henare Noa, Motuti. Mitimiti: Te Kiri Hotere, Mitimiti. Kohukohu, Te Karae, Tautehihi: Tohu Clark, Tautehihi, Kohukohu. Motukaraka and Te Huahua: Hori H. Harris, Motukaraka. Whirinaki,- Pakanae, Opononi, Waimamaku, Waiotemarama, Waipoua and Waihara: Louis W. Poka, Waiotemarama, Waimamaku. Omanaia and Rawene: Wehi Titore, Omanaia. Waima: Kereama Moka- J raka. Waima. Taheke: Anaru H. White, Taheke. Utakura, Waihou, Okaihau, Motu- j kiore and Orira: Mahu Otene, Horeke.