Sympathy with the suggestion was expressed by the Prime Minister, and he promised to convey the expression of the Maoris' offers to his Excellency the Governor.
The subject was introduced by Mr G. M. Thomson, who asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the employment by the British Government of Indian troops, the New Zealand Government was prepared to accept the military services of those of his Majesty's Maori subjects who desired to volunteer.
''I regret to say that although I have a good deal of sympathy with the suggestion,'' the Prime Minister replied, ''there has always been a sort of understanding that coloured races were not to be employed in any European war, but now we have the precedent of Indians being taken to Europe for the purpose of taking part in the present war.
''The Maoris are free citizens of the Empire, sharing all the privileges and benefits of British citizenship, and I do not think they should be denied the opportunity of fighting for the Empire. - (''Hear, hear.'') I shall be very glad to represent to his Excellency the Governor the suggestion made by the member for Dunedin North.''
Sir J. G. Ward said that he believed the great majority of the people would be proud to see the Maori, already so distinguished for his fine fighting qualities, joining in the defence of the Empire.
''There is undoubtedly a desire on the part of the Maori people to stand shoulder to shoulder with their British fellow citizens,'' said the Hon. A. T. Ngata, amid applause.
He reminded the Minister of Defence that the bulk of the Maori people were beyond the limits of the existing system of military training, and although there were Maoris enthusiastic to go forward, they were in greater need of training than the pakehas who were volunteering.
He suggested that if the services of Maori volunteers were accepted, concentration camps should be immediately established in Maori districts for the training of Native volunteers.
The Maori was already well equipped in his ability for ''roughing it'', and was a born scout, but he required instruction in the use of the rifle, the military commands and evolutions.
Mr Ngata added that the Arawas had offered 200 men, and he had no doubt that if volunteers were invited there would be enough men to fill a troopship.
That the Maoris are taking a deep interest in the present crisis is evidenced by the fact that a large and influential gathering of Natives from the Wanganui and Taumarunui districts met at Taumarunui, and discussed the question of forming a corps of territorials drawn from all the Natives of the Wanganui River district, including Major Kemp's tribe in Wanganui.
The Mayor of Taumarunui attended the meeting, and explained a reply received from the Minister of Defence in regard to a request for the provision of ammunition, etc.
The Natives were pleased with the reply, and a suggestion was put forward to the effect that a petition should be signed and sent to the Native Minister urging the Minister of Defence to arrange for the organisation of a Maori corps for exclusively defence purposes. The movement is one of considerable importance.
- ODT, 2.9.2014.
