MAORIS AND THE NAVY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3381, 23 November 1911, Page 2

MAORIS AND THE NAVY.

RECRUITING RESTRICTIONS. A CASE FOR REPRESENTATIONS. it is rather strange that in the negotiations between New Zealand and the Home Government with regard to naval defence the position of the Maori race has never been defined. There is some sort of provision at present for' New Zealanders of British extraction enlisting in the Navy if they wish to, hut the Maori race, although prc-cmi-nc-iitly a people of maritime traditions and although living in New Zealand on terms of social equality with the whiter-;, are under the same restrictions as regards enlisting as the Kroo boys of West Africa. Some time ago, in order to obtain information on the question, a correspondent put several queries to the Admiralty, and he received the following reply“l am commanded by my Lords Commissioners. of the Admiralty to acquaint you that men of black or colored races are sometimes entered in tire Royal Navy for temporary and local service only, on stations abroad where they are employed for work in the turn. Such men, provided • they are British' subjects, are not altogether debarred from entry for general service, but no such entry can take place without the special sanction of the Admiralty. Men of collar as a rule are not now eligible for pension. “So far as is known there are no Maoris -serving in the Navy at present. It- cannot he stated whether any have ever applied for entrv. “The case of anv Maori applying for entry Won Id he dealt with as stated above.” Those who are interested in maintaining the sea-going proclivities of the race might consider this a- matter for negotiation between the Now Zealand Government and the Admiralty.