Mr O’Regan’s Hopes For Future Race Relations

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29004, 18 September 1959, Page 10

Mr O’Regan’s Hopes For Future Race Relations

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 17. The disappearance of “privileges” for Maoris, such as separate schools and housing schemes, would be evidence of progress, the chairman of the Wellington Citizens’ All Black Tour Committee (Mr Rolland O’Regan) said today. Mr O’Regan was replying to a statement made yesterday by the Maori member of the council of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr Ralph Love). “The Citizens All Black Tour Association has one purpose only, and that is to protest against the New Zealand Rugby Union’s decision to bar from selection for the 1960 New Zealand representative team any person having any Maori blood in his veins,” said Mr O’Regan. “We say Maoris should be selected if they are good enough, and if they cannot be guaranteed equality of treatment in South Africa the tour should be abandoned.

“The association has, as such, never enunciated any racial policy,” said Mr O’Regan.

“In my view, there are three ways in which two races living in one society may order their relations.” said Mr O’Regan. “The first is total domination of one race over the other, such as obtained in the United States before the abolition of chattel slavery in 1865. “The second is expressed in the phrase, ‘equal but separate, development.’ This is the way of Dr. Verwoed in South Africa and Governor Faubus in Little Rock. I do not believe that it has Mr Love’s support in spite of his words. Advocates of this policy are strong on ‘separation’ but weak on ‘equality.’ “Racial separation in every possible social field is the method of this cruel policy which solves no problem and creates a thousand.

“The third way is the way of unity of one people of merging and integration. This has been New Zealand’s policy since the Treaty of Waitangi. This policy is denied by any act of racial discrimination. It should be actively fostered. It means absolute equality in every field—social, political and economic.

“How far two people, in any one time, can travel this road may vary in different times and different places. The American nation is bravely, patiently, and in some areas, painfully, travelling this road today. In New Zealand. we have gone a long way. This is the road of peace, of mutual respect of brotherhood and friendship. The end of this road sometimes —perhaps in another century or two —may be racial merging. Cultural Heritage “But merging, however, certainly does not mean submerging. The Maori cultural heritage must be preserved. It is unique. It is a part of the endowment of the nation of the future.

“Mr Love is himself a product of this wise and prudent policy. He is a man of mixed Maori and European blood. He holds down a very responsible job. He is highly respected in this city. He suffers no social, political or economic disability. Nevertheless, I am sure he plays his part in preserving the language, the history, and the culture of his forebears as a precious heritage for his children. “This traditional New Zealand

policy in race relations needs r careful re-statement. It should be actively fostered and taught. Both Maori and pakeha should think this question right through in all its implications. Mr Love has done a service in bringing it so forcibly to public notice. “Mr Love feels that certain privileges and rights which Maoris now enjoy will be lost if this policy of unity is pursued. No doubt, in some degree, he is right. It is inevitable that these will be modified as time goes on, and some will wither as no longer necessary. Transitional Stage “Many separate Maori things today are aids and helps to a people in a state of transition from an ancient primitive culture to a different and rapidly changing culture. If this transition is successfully made, the need of these helps will become less. For example, in another generation it is probable that noone will depend for news of the world on Maori language broadcasts and they may well cease. “Nothing will be lost if, in the

course of time, such privileges as separate Maori schools and separate Maori housing schemes become unnecessary. Their passing will be evidence of greater gains in other fields.

“This road of unity may well bring us in time a Prime Minister or a Governor-General with Maori blood. As long as Maoris play bright, open, vigorous football so characteristic of them, I think separate Maori football teams will endure, and so will other separate things which our descendants find necessary and good.”