MAORI WAR EFFORT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 1 February 1943, Page 4

MAORI WAR EFFORT

WORK OF ORGANISATION OBJECTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS SURVEY BY MR PA IKEA Wellington. Tin.-. Day. Ihe work accompli'bed the Maori War Effort Organisation suue its iorinalion six months ap,o was reviewed by the Minister in < barge oi Maori War l.ffort, Mr Paikea. in an interview. Ihe object oi the organisation is to stimulate the war effort of the Maori people, and to make it more effective by organisation throughout New Zealand on a voluntary basis. To help in carrying out thi«> object the organisation has had tlie help of a committee consisting of the five Maori members of both Houses of Parliament with Mr Paikea as chairman. The continuation of the organisation for a further Hire* months from Ist February has been approved by War Cabinet. Mr Paikea said that 356 tribal and executive committees had been established. It waj- a revolutionary experience for the Maori people to be given some form of control. Naturally many difficulties were encountered at the out set owing to a characteristic lack of confidence arising from past and historic experiences. Personal contact however, together with an assurance of a position of leadership, brought abou* a wave of war effort enthusiasm among the people from one end of New Zealan 1 to the other. “The number of Maori personnel serving as with gallant distinction overseas, and in the defence of New Zealand, as well a those engaged in the production and industrial life of New Zealand is striking evidence of and a tribute to the people’s war effort." said the Minister. "In addition the response of the Maori people toward patriotic appeals has been remarkable.” MEN IN ARMED FORCES The following summary of the main achievements of the Maori War Effort Organisation to date was given by Mr Paikea : Number of men in essential industries 10.825. Territorial Force for service within and beyond New Zealand, including those serving overseas number recoiried as having joined up, 4104; number enlisted by recruiting officers and tribal committees. 740; total, 4844. Territorial Force for service in New Zealand only—number recorded as having joined up 1587; number enlisted by recruiting officers and tribal committees. 453: total 2C40 Home Guard--number recorded as having enrolled. 7397; number enlisted by recruiting officer: and tribal com rnittces, 2478: total. 9875. Total engaged in defence forces, 16.759. Grand total. 27.584 The’ Minister said that as the war progressed the functions and duties of the Maori organisation were widened out to embrace the control and direction of all Maori man and womanpower in essential industries in cooperation with the district manpower officers, and the increased production of potatoes, kumeras, maize, green vegetables organised and operated not only as individual projects but as tribal projects.

In addition the following other matters had also occupied the close and constant attention not only of the recruiting officers but also of the tribal and executive committees: <a> Personal contact with employers of Maoris, resulting in bringing’about in many instances a better understanding and consequently a greater smoothness of working; <b> prevention of absenteeism from essential work, and dealing with cases of absenteeism; <c» reception and guidance of men returning from overseas. (d) matters pertinent lo rehabilitation: (e) approach to the problem of social changes among the Maori people, particularly young wome/i engaged in industry in the larger centres of population, and also the investigation of living and housing conditions in the cities of those engaged in industry; <f> intermediate duties of an assorted and often complex nature. PRODUCTION OF FOODSTUFFS The following is a summary of the estimated production for war purpose.that is production over and above the Maori people’s own requirements both for food and for the adequate supplv of seeds, for future crops; Maize, 3017 acres, estimated to yield 126,590 busheh; kumeras, 707 acres, estimated to yield 3331 tons; potatoes. 927$ acres, estimated to yield 4031 tons; peas, 18 acres, estirruted to yield I\3oo pecks; beans. 12 acres, estimated lo yield 420 bushels green vegetables. 36$ acres, estimated to yield 176 tons; agar seaweed, estimated to yield 17.000 pounds; pumpkins, 15 acres, estimated to yield 180 tons. “The operations of the Maori War Effort Organisation has inevitablv

opened up latest problems in connection with the present and future welfare of the Maori people,” said Mr Paikea. “Not only is the fifture wel fare of the race vitally involved in these problems but the social, economic and industrial life of New Zealand is also directly or indirectly involved bv reason of the large and increasing Maori population. With regard, how ever, to many outstanding claims and grievances the Maori people, generally speaking, have decided to allow these to remain in abeyance till more propitious times. In any case at the pre sent time their thoughts are. general> speaking, directed to one thing onlv—that is the war effort."

Mr Paikea expressed his appreciation of the work of recruiting officers for their work in the organisation of the Maori war effort.—P.A.