'Stereotyping cause of racialism in N.Z.'

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33251, 14 June 1973, Page 2

'Stereotyping cause of racialism in N.Z. '

r.Netc Zealand Press Association! WELLINGTON, June-13. During the year, 79 complaints were received by the Race Relations Conciliator, says the annual report of the conciliator, which has been tabled in Parliament.

It is the first report since the office was established with the Ombudsman (Sir Guy Powles) as conciliator in Wellington, and Mr K. H. Mason as deputy conciliator in Auckland. The report said that 54 of the complaints were received in Auckland and 25 in Wei-, lington. The causes of seven of the complaints were found to have been rectified. One complaint was found to be justified, 19 were found not justified, 29 discontinued, three withdrawn, seven referred elsewhere, and 13 were still under action. MOSTLY POLYNESIANS Of the complaints, the great majority were from or on behalf of Polynesians, the report said. “These figures arise from not more than six months effective operation of the office in Auckland. The Wei lington office has had to operate in too passive a manner and they cannot be taken as any index at all of. the extent to which racial discrimination exists in New Zealand,” Sir Guy Powles said in the report.

I He said the expressions (“white racism” and “white i institutional racism” had 'been used with reference to , New Zealand, but he , [thought this was a mistake. | “I think there is no or : [little racist intent in New ; Zealand, either among the i •citizens, or in the system, or [in the way of life. I do not , think the institutions within ■ the New Zealand system dis- , [criminate purposely against , citizens on the grounds of i their race or colour. , CONFORMITY I “The problem is that most| institutions in New Zealand I [ are derived from and([ orientated towards the economic, social, and spiritual; ideals and practices of white Anglo-Saxon. The;: status of the individual in i the New Zealand scene I i

depends largely on conformity with those ideals.” However, “racialism” occurred in New Zealand and most of the cases handled had related to aspects of this, generally brought about by stereotyping, he said. “Perhaps the most common instance is that of a pakeha landlord stereotyping a prospective Polynesian tenant as a bad tenant,” Sir Guy Powles said. “When an explanation of the landlord’s attitude is sought it is often found that he has had some experience whereby he has come to believe that Polynesians are bad tenants. ACT “NEGATIVE” “Such persons may consider Polynesians as being inferior only in this particular aspect and may not in

fact hold the belief that Polynesians are generally inferior in every way.” Sir Guy Powles said that the Race Relations Act in its express terms was negative. It merely described some acts as being unlawful and! others as constituting punish able offences. “Of course, to deal adequately with the negative aspects does incidentally help to promote racial equality, and the importance of this effect must not be denied.” he said. “But the general attitude of waiting until discrimination occurs and then punishing it does not go far enough in developing a good multi-racial community in New Zealand. “It savours too much of the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff rather than the fence at the top.” N