CALL FOR RACE EQUALITY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29189, 27 April 1960, Page 5

CALL FOR RACE EQUALITY

Appeal Made By Mr Ngata

<Ntw Zeaiwio Hii-w 4.sx<>ctut>on> GISBORNE, April 26

“Must we be faced with the calamity of war before we can become completely united and equal?” This was the question asked yesterday at Ruatoria by the guest speaker at the Anzac Day service, Mr H. K. Ngata, a son of the late Sir Apirana Ngata. “Situations frequently arise in times of peace which demand the same sort of resolution required in war. Too often we lack the energy or the moral fibre to accept challenges. We become apathetic and careless or find excuses for evading issues,” he said. “Such an issue confronts us today, but those from whom we expect leadership and guidance dismiss the matter lightly as having no consequence outside the realm of sport. “I agree that at any other time the selection of a Rugby team is a matter entirely within the confines of sport, but the selection of this particular Rugby team is based on social eligibility and is, therefore, a moral issue.

“Has not the Maori race paid the price of first-class citizenship? Are we to be treated as secondclass citizens? “In times of stress, in times of war, the two peoples rally together and no sacrifice is deemed too great in their defence. In peacetime, however, there is a tendency to preach high ideals, but a reluctance to practise them.”