Tunku Praises N.Z. Franchise For Maoris

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29238, 23 June 1960, Page 8

Tunku Praises N.Z. Franchise For Maoris

(Special Correspondent NZP-AJ

LONDON, June 22. The success of New Zealand's treatment of the Maoris wea aa esanple of what could be doee ta serine that the sborieiml M«riation wee npraeented ta Parliament, the iMhlsjen Prime Minister (Tunku Abdul Rahman) told the Kuala Lumpur correspondent ef *The Times” after hte speech in the House of Representatives outlining the stand he took against apartheid at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference ta London.

Tunku Abdul Rahman said that he realised South Africa would have to maintain its white ‘characteristics, and it was for that reason he had suggested in London last week that Europeans should allocate about 10 seats in Parliament for Bantu, Indians, coloureds, and Malays.

The 10 could be divided as thought fit, but they should be filled by persons drawn from these races and elected by those races. •

"When I became leader of Malaya,” said the Tunku, ■'aborigines in Malaya were represented by others. I insisted they should represent themselves, but after the new constitution was introduced in 1957 no suitable aborigines could be found to stand. "I therefore nominated an aborigine to the Senate. This action speaks fur itself. “I told the South African External Affairs Minister (Mr Louw) in London that I didn’t expect Europeans to treat the Bantu on the basis of full equality but they should show them smbe consideration.

“New Zealand has allowed non-whites limited franchise so they can choose representatives from themselves. “Non-whites m Sotrth Africa

will, I hope, be satisfied with something like this. Certainly Malaya will not complain. “I pointed out to all the Prime Ministers that two issues were involved: Firstly, fair treatment for all as well as whites who had made a home in South Africa; secondly, an end to discrimination against nonwhites who might come from outside on a visit “Mr Louw denied that I, for instance, would be barred from some public places if I went to South Africa, but I replied that this meant only that Mr Louw would make special arrangements for me beforehand,” the Tunku said.