Individuals’ Part In Race Relations

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30042, 29 January 1963, Page 14

Individuals’ Part In Race Relations

(From Our Own Reporter) PICTON, January 28. The solution to problems of race relations rested on the attitude of the individual, Mr J. K. Hunn, Secretary for Maori Affairs, told the University Students’ Association congress today. . “It is nothing more than the act of being a good neighbour,” he said.

Mr Hunn defended State action to aid Macri education, job opportunities and social status. But, he added, the baric responsibility for race ntitixs remained with each individual citizen. Mr Hunn denied Government action towards the Maori wm patronising and demorabaing. "How can the* be when the Maori himself is a keen partner in the deal?” He said he looked forward to the day when them would not have to be a Department

of Maori aflrir. or a Maori Education Fouousriofl. "We have just about all the machinery we need for organised State and community action to elevate Maori social status. Any more might be too much,” ha said. “Have we not, in foot, reached the point wtnere any further action is a matter for each of us indiriduaily, and nut for organised groups’” When the Maori people were comparatively few. tolerance w«b eerier because there were fewer day-to-day contacts. The mass move to town by the Maoris has created a different situation.

Hie policy wee a simple one, said M. Hunn—“lntegration through education. For the Maori it is an education in culture: for the pefreha. it is an education in understanding.” Mr Hunn said integration did not mean “wwirinc out ail ’Maorineas* from the Maoris.” The extant to which a Maori retains his cultural characteristics was a matter for his own peceonai choice. But it had to be made dear to the Maori that "integration" was no* a prineha word fo~ obliteration.