SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY TOUR

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25589, 2 September 1948, Page 4

SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY TOUR

EXCLUSION OF MAORIS PROTEST BY SIR HOWARD KIPPENBERGER It was difficult to gauge the opifiion of members, but the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association seemed to be the only body standing for the rights of equality of the Maori, said Major-General Sir Howard Kippenberger, Dominion president of the association, last evening. He was referring, at a social function in his honour, organised by the Christchurch association, to the New Zealand Rugby Union’s decision not to include Maoris in the All Black team which will tour South Africa next year. After mentioning the Maoris’ record in the recent war, General Kippenberger said that no New Zealand battalion was able to say the Maori Battalion had let it down. His remark: “If you had the Maori Battalion on your flanks you were secure,” was greeted with loud applause. “We cheerfully boast that there is no native problem in New Zealand, and no colour bar,’’ he said, “but we are quite wrong. You do not see it down here, but you should go up north.” The Maoris had fought for and earned their citizenship, ne continued. The South Africans had not said they would not allow Maoris to play in their country, but the Rugby Union had made its decision. South Africa’s position in the Empire at present was uncertain, and it had been suggested that even a protest by the Returned Services’ Association would- be harmful to imperial relations, said the general. “What do you think?” he asked. Of the 80 odd men in the hall, only some four or five considered that the association should not protest against the exclusion of Maoris from the team. While it was difficult to speak for the association, he intended to make a personal protest to the Rugby Union, said General Kippenberger, “though probably no notice would be taken of “I had the Maoris under my command for two years, and in that time they had 1500 casualties, and I am not going to acquiesce in any damned Afrikanders saying they cannot go,” he concluded. “To hell with them.”