MAORIS AND THE WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15915, 12 May 1915, Page 9

MAORIS AND THE WAR.

EAGERNESS TO SERVE.

REGULATING ENLISTMENTS.

[l)Y TELKGRArU. —OWN CORRESPONDENT, j

Kawakawa, Tuesday.

The keenness of many of the young men of the four northern Maori tribes to enlist for the front has rather alarmed some of their elders. When Dr. l'oinare visited Waitangi last year Xuinu Rangi Xgapuha, the venerable mother of Hone Hcke, entreated him to consider carefully the visdom of sending sons of the tribes to the war. She pointed out that the race was but feeble in numbers, and that if its young manhood were all scorched in the flame of battle the race would become a remnant. At the same time Nuinii emphasised the Maoris' whole-hearted loyalty to the King and joyful willingness to fight in the battles. At a liui held at Karetu a few weeks ago the subject of Maori contingents was considered. It was decided that a committee be formed to watch the interests of the Xgapnhi tribe Hi raising reinfoi'iements, as the older people were afraid the war fever would so infect the younger men that the kaingas would he left without any males of lighting age. A number of young Maoris have already applied to the local registering authority for inclusion in the European reinforcements if another native contingent is not to be raised. If a call is made for another Maori force the committee will regulate the applications for enlistment so that no .settlement will be entirely denuded of its young men.

CARE OF THE WOUNDED.

AUCKLAND CONTRIBUTIONS.

A sun, of £150 is to he called from .Auckland to-day by the St. John Ambulance Association to the secretary of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, London, for the purpose of assisting in maintaining the brigade's military hospital. The hospital in question, which has provision for 025 patients, is transferred to whatever district the military authorities desire. Everything except' the building is provided by the Ambulance Brigade. A total of £400 has already been sent from Auckland to the brigade secretary and it is hoped eventually to secure a total of J.'-l.nX) from the province, so that a whole ward may be .maintained bv the people of Auckland. Details of the amounts contributed towards the sum being forwarded to-day are as follows: — .Auckland nursing 'division, £106 19s: Hamilton nursing division, £20; Oneliunga nursing division, £12; hovs of the Auckland Grammar School. £6 ss; Dr. Florence. Keller, Dr. Parkes, Mr ('. J. 'Junks and Mr. and Mrs. E. Hall, £1 Is each; Miss Kirker, 10* : Miss Rvan, 10s; Friend, ss. The collection .» being continued by Mrs. Smith, lady corps superintendent.

GALLANT NEW ZEALANDERS. HARBOUR BOARD CONGRATULATIONS. The chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. Mr. H. D. Heather, moved at yesterday's meeting:-—"That this board places on record its keen appreciation of the gallant conduct of the New Zealand troops in the battle at the Dardanelles; the board deplores the loss of life involved and extends to the relatives of those killed its sincere sympathy." SAMOAN GARRISON. GENERAL HEALTH GOOD. LBV TELEUll.iril. — I'RKSS ASSOCIATION. 1 \Ve[.UX(;tox, Tuesday. Advice has been received from Colonel Login in Samoa that the health of the troops is good. The following cases are urid.'r treatment:—Captain J. G. Roadie, enteric fever; Sergt. R. Oliphant, lacerated lingers; Corporal \V. J. Heasley, dengue fev>r: Privates U. Morrissey, colitis ;R. T. Nelson, mtatitis; R. T. Robertson, tonsilitis ; T. LI. Risk, denguo fever. All are doing well.