Publication praised

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33694, 18 November 1974, Page 16

Publication praised

The Minister of Education (Mr Amos) has endorsed a recent publication of the Vocational Training Council dealing with the understanding of Polynesians in the New Zealand work-force. Mr Amos said that he had been most impressed with the publication, prepared to assist employers with significant numbers of Polynesians in their work-forces. “The introduction to this pamphlet indicates that there are increasing numbers of Maoris and Polynesians in industry in New Zealand,” Mr Amos said. “Race relations will, therefore, play a growing part in industrial relations, and employers must have a basic understanding of the Polynesian way of thinking and working. The pamphlet sets out the differences in attitude and behaviour which arise from the cultural background of the various Polynesian groups.” The pamphlet covers a wide range of topics, including language difficulties, reaction to insults, fatalistic attitude, negative questioning, supervision, the work group, involvement in deci-sion-making, work rhythms, work language and work rewards, as well as containing brief sections on the background of each Polynesian society. It is the first of a series, and has been written by the Secretary of Maori and Island Affairs (Mr J. M. McEwan) and the senior lecturer in sociology at Auckland University (Mr C. Macpherson).