Race Relations “Overworked”

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32379, 19 August 1970, Page 15

Race Relations “Overworked”

“The press” Special Service AUCKLAND, Aug. 18. Maoris are fed up with all the publicity and public comments about them—the topic “race relations” has been overworked, overstated, and overstressed, according to the Rev. K. Ihaka the Anglican Maori missioner.

“Too much already has been written and recorded in the mass media about the Maori,” said Mr Ihaka in an address to the Auckland Rotary Club. “A day does not pass when some mention is made of him and Maoris are beginning to rebel at the continual stream of comments about what is good and not good for them . . . what they should do and not do.” Mr Ihaka said there was a barrage of preachings by theorists and people not personally involved and the result was Maori people were getting “fed up with all the publicity and public comment” “There is too much stress on our differences and not enough on our similarities. “The Maori will cross the gulf between him and the European, but we need more people to assist in wading through the troubled waters.” ; Mr Ihaka said there was too much talk of white and black. There was still a vast ; gulf between Polynesians and ; pakehas in New Zealand. 1

Polynesians were expected to cross the education, social and economic gulf in a comparatively short time. A number had, but most had not. The Maori generally had only come into close contact with the complexities of urban life since World War 11. Having tasted a different life from the old kainlya—or village—could he be blamed

l for leaving uneconomic land 1 holdings for a richer, more ■ varied life in the cities with - the promise of Jtetter financial status and amenities? I “In less than 30 years the t bulk of Maoridom is expected . to adjust to a life which has , taken the non-Polynesian centuries to follow, and, with respect, who still makes a terrible mess of it.” Mr Ihaka said the Maori had made great strides in all fields of endeavour in modern society, considering the time needed to adjust. • “Far too many speakers who talk on matters affecting our people overstress the problems, the weaknesses in Maori society today . . . they give a distorted picture of the actual situation. “We have problems, of course, but we hear too much about them and very little of the good things that are taking place.” Mr Ihaka said it was vital

that the education gap should be bridged between the Polynesian and pakeha. Today’s social problems among minority groups were not due to any cultural deficiency or to education “dropouts” but to misunderstanding and non-acceptance, he said.

The process of equality should not be forced, but would be achieved in the fullness of time.