RUGBY BOMB

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 174, 24 July 1936, Page 3

RUGBY BOMB

SPRINGBOK TOUR. A MAORI SURPRISE. DIGNIFIED RACIAL STAND. NOT TO MEET AFRICANS.

The New Zealand Rugby Football Union has had an unexpected decision thrust upon it in connection with the proposed tour in New Zealand of a South African football team. A Rotorua correspondent reports that the Arawa Maoris, a reputable and important section of the Maori race, have petitioned the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union requesting that no Maori players, either individually oi as a team, be asked to play against the South Africans, and that the Maori race in general bo not asked to take part in any official welcome to them. "A Delicate Subject." The memorial, which is signed by Mr. H. Tai Mitchell, as chairman of the meeting, is accompanied by the following letter: —

"I beg to transmit certain resolutions which were considered at length and passed without dissent. I was requested to convey these resolutions to your union with all the deference and respect which a delicate subject of this nature deserves, that is to say, to protect the Maori race from any possible recurrence of the unpleasant incidents which occurred during the previous visit of a South African Rugby football team, when members of the race had to endure on the field many epithets cast at them by some of the visitors, resulting in frayed tempers on both sides, together with reported objectionable treatment some of our womenfolk received during the tribal reception tendered to them at the Taniatekapua Meeting House. Ohinemutu." Then follow the resolutions: — "This meeting of Arawas address a respectful memorial to the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union requesting that no Maori player be called upon to play against the Springboks during their tour in 1937, and that no Maori representative match be staged to play them.

"That the Maoris of New Zealand, mindful of their past services to sport in New Zealand, and, in particular, to Rugby Union football, which is now the national game, and mindful of the fact that the attitude of the Springboks was virtually supported by the New Zealand Rugby Union, in that no Maori player was selected in the Now Zealand representative team which a few years later toured South Africa, and remembering that thus the Maori people suffered a further affront to their sporting instincts from within their own land, and that by that action was surrendered a definite principle in the democracy of sport which recognises merit only, regardless of race, creed or colour, pray earnestly that a recurrence of humiliating incidents, due to a recurrence of racial antipathies, be guarded against; and are of the opinion that that end can only be achieved by the prayer of the resolutions beim* acted on in full by the New Zealand Union. Desire Not to Offend. "That, for the same reasons, the Maoris of New Zealand be not invited to give or take part in any official receptions to the Springboks when they come to New Zealand, as the last thing the Maoris in their code of hospitality to distinguished visitors would wish, would be to hurt, by their presence at such receptions, the feelings and prejudices of an important section of the British Commonwealth of Nations for whom the Maori race entertains feelings of friendly interest, because of those great Afrikanders of wide and wholesome vision, namely, Louis Botha. De Wette, Cronje. Smuts atid Hertzog."

The meeting further agreed that early consideration of the position should be given so that the necessary adjustments may be made well in advance of the arrival of the Springboks.