NEW ZEALAND'S PART.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13595, 9 October 1914, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND'S PART.

LOYAL AND GENEROUS

COOK ISLANDERS! ACTION.

(Special to "The Colonist.") 1

Wellington, Oct. 8

The generous loyalty of the native and European residents of Niue and J&Cangaift, in the Cook Group, was referred to in Parliament to-night by the Prime Minister, who put on record the fact that the natives of Niue had sent £181 15s 2d and the European residents £82 19a 3d to the New Zealand Empire Defence Fund, The natives also offered 200 able-bodied men for service wherever required. The inhabitants of Mangaia had forwarded £125. The Nia& natives' offer of a contingent was couched in the following terms :— "Niue Fekai, September 16th, 1914. To King George V., all those in authority, and the brave men who fight. lam the J'sland of Niue, a small child that stands up to help King George V. There are two portions. We are offering , (1) money, (2) men. (Signed by twelve native chiefs.)" . _ These loyal offers and gifts, said Mr. Ivfassey, were unique, and worthy of special attention. Will the services of the men be accepted? asked-the Hon. R. McKenzie. Th» Prime Minister: That rests with *.he Imperial authorities. The offer will £c transmitted to them through the Governor. .-■,...

Mr. Russell, speaking for the Opposition, echoed the recognition of the loyalty shown by the inhabitants > of Hive and Mangaia Islands. The natives had only been a few years under New He&lanfl control, yet, when the war drums were beaten, they had stepped into line and out of their poverty had cent their share to the Empire's help.