INTEGRATION OF MAORIS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29002, 17 September 1959, Page 12

INTEGRATION OF MAORIS

Mr Ralph Love Critical (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 16. Opposition to the total integration of the Maori race, as expressed by Mr Rolland O'Regan at the first national conference of the Citizens' All Black Tour Association, is expressed in a state-

ment issued today by Mr Ralph Love, Maori representative on the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.

The statement is as follows: “I have waited for some time to see what reaction there is to the statement by Mr O'Regan . . that his organisation will emerge dedicated to the task of total integration of Maori and European people in New Zealand.

“I have seen little reaction from the Maori people, but I hope that Mr O'Regan does not take their silence as acquiescence to his now declared policy. . . . i "Integration means one thing ■to me—the loss of all rights, privileges and advantages enjoyed by the Maori people today. If this is carried to its conclusion—and Mr O’Regan declares that he is dedicated to it—all those in his group of supporters will renounce, as they can. all claims to their Maori identity except some who cannot change their colour.

"Why has there been no mention of integration with the European race of those other minority people living in New Zealand—the Chinese and Hindus—which would then complete the circle of Mr O'Regan's so-called moral issue as he sees it? . . .

I "Mr O'Regan should emerge from the sea of words on which he launched his integration policy [and come to dry land and teil ithe Maori people now a minority, I but virile race, living peaceably ? within the structure of a community with advantageous rights and privileges and not all the accompanying responsibilities, can ;have equality when it is integrated—or submerged.”