MAORI SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1916, Page 8

MAORI SOLDIERS.

PLACING THEM OX THE LAND. By Telegraph.—Press Association, Gisborne, March 10. Something in the nature of a warning to members of the National Government was voiced by Sir James Carroll at a gathering at "the Soldiers' Club. Tlie member for Gisborne said there was a matter on which he would doubtless have something to say on Parliament assembling. Maori soldiers were entitled to the same consideration as Europeans in regard to placing returned men on the land. The question arose whether the Government should continue carrying on the vigorous policy of denuding the Maoris of their land. He only hoped that, in the.carrying out of this policy, they would bear in mind ■the probability of having to provide other land for the race in the future. The Hon. 0. W. Piussell promptly announced that, with the Hon. Mr. MacDonald, he would send a telegram to the Native Minister that they were of opinion that in the Maori land purchases special consideration should be given to Maori soldiers on their return. (Applause). Mr. Mac-Donald said he would treat the Maori soldier the same as the pakeha, and was sure that our soldier boys would not have 'it otherwise. (Applause). He did not think the Maori should be denuded of his land. They all knew that no one had done more for the Maori people than Sir James Carroll, and any scheme he might bring forward would have consideration,