N.Z. put on list of racist countries

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32838, 11 February 1972, Page 10

N.Z. put on list of racist countries

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 10. New Zealand’s name has been added to the World Council of Churches list of countries where racism exists.

Dr B. Sjollema, of the Netherlands, director of the world council’s controversial programme to combat racism, said today there was a “general myth” overseas that New Zealand did not have any race problems.

“I came here under that impression, although several people had told me that maybe the situation was not very good here,” he said. “I have been in New Zealand only for about a week, but I have tried to discover if there are problems, and if there are, what they are.” Dr Sjollema said he had had discussions with several groups who were concerned about the racial situation, as well as with some high school pupils. STUDY URGED One of the problems was the lack of research, but he

believed that land rights, housing, employment and education should all be thoroughly investigated by the Church. Then a decision could be made on whether the world council could do anything to help. "Although people say Maoris and pakehas have the same rights in New Zealand that does not necessarily mean they have the same opportunities,” said Dr Sjollema.

“The New Zealand churches and particularly the Commission on Church .and Society here, and the Maori Committee, have a real responsibility to study these matters in much more detail than has been done in the past.” “SUBTLE FORMS” Dr Sjollema said most churches had reacted to racial discrimination by preaching “love your neighbour.” “This is an important aspect of the problem,” he said, “but I don’t think it’s enough. You have to go be-

ypnd that, because there are much more subtle forms.” The New Zealand education system, which was a pakeha concept, involved what he described as “institutional racism,” and ways must be found for Maoris to be given the same opportunities, and to be enabled to become involved in decisionmaking in all sectors of society. POSSIBLE HELP Dr Sjollema said there wsfc widespread misunderstanding of the world council’s programme to combat racism. Many people believed that al! the programme did was to give money to certain groups, but this was not the case—it also involved comprehensive research and education. It was possible that, at some future date, the world council, if it was asked, might consider helping with New Zealand’s racial problems.

'Dr Sjollema agreed that discrimination in this country was often unintentional, but that, he said, made it al! the more difficult to investigate.