Zealand Infantry Regiment, and Lt George Kereama. He inspected Terendak Camp and found that the Battalion was being moulded into an efficient fighting unit. The men were fit and full of confidence. When he arrived at Bien Hoa on February 18 in an R.N.Z.A.F. Hercules aircraft, Mr Herewini saw the massive build-up of American planes, munitions, transport and other war equipment in South Vietnam. On February 22 he visited General Westmoreland, Commander of the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, who praised the New Zealand artillery battery, but said he wished the force could have more guns. Mr Herewini said that New Zealand gunners in South Vietnam wanted, among other things, a shorter period of service for single men. It had been pointed out that it was hard for single men to watch the married men leave after 12 months or less while the former had to stay for up to 20 months. There was bitterness about the inequality of the basic rate of pay for gunners under 20 years of age. Two 19-year-old gunners got about £4 a day less than gunners aged 20 or over, yet all were exposed to the same dangers. “The gunners also thought the new pay rates were unsatisfactory and benefited only a few. They said an increase was given with one hand and, because of the increased living costs, taken away with the other.” Servicemen expressed appreciation to Mr Herewini for the Christmas gifts and consignment of cigarette tobacco sent by the R.S.A. He noted that at the base camp at Bien Hoa beer could be bought at 20 to 25 cents a can as well as canned drinks. Cigarettes (1 dollar 40 cents a carton), transistors, cameras and some other things were duty free. “A wide screen, open-air movie was available, but otherwise there was little else to do but watch television,” he said. “The transmitting station was on a large American aircraft which flew a box course to give uninterrupted reception to viewers.” FOOTNOTE: Mr Herewini brought back a request from soldiers, sailors and airmen for muttonbirds. As a result the Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Hanan, made £250 available to buy them. “I am doing this only once, and I hope that in future other organisations will undertake to send these and other special New Zealand foods to all servicemen serving New Zealand so well overseas,” said Mr Hanan.

INNOVATION Ian Mitchell This year Northland College, a school with a large Maori roll, has made history by becoming the first secondary school to be represented at the conference of the New Zealand Federation of Maori Students. The senior Maori students at the college decided to form a Federation branch and attend the conference, in an attempt to overcome the huge gap which exists between secondary school and University or Teachers' College, and they were not disappointed. All gained a tremendous amount of real experience from meeting more advanced students, and discussing the problems which young Maoris face at ‘Varsity and Teachers’ College. It was refreshing to accompany these young people on their trip: refreshing, because usually we hear too much theory about ‘The Problems of Maori Education’, and here was a group earnestly and enthusiastically doing something practical to overcome their difficulties. These students are hoping that other schools with large Maori rolls will follow their example in the near future. If Maori students are familiar with just a few aspects of ‘Varsity or College life before they actually begin these courses, we feel their success will be greater. Northland College Maori students are also keen to see a conference for senior Maori secondary students begin next year. They would be interested to hear other young people's ideas on this topic. Those who attended the conference were: Hone Sadler, Hemi Heremaia, Nancy Witihira, Hera Tapsell, Mervyn Tatana, Kevin Douglas, Ben Pitman, Bill Hamilton, Mose Panama, Terai Matapo and Kiriau Turepu. The latter three are Pacific Islanders who are studying at Northland College.