Maori language
Sir, — Mr J. Russell, secretary of the Arahura Maori Committee, makes little sense in his reported statement on Thursday. Neither 1 Maori nor any other is “the 1 rightful language of New ■ Zealand.” Perhaps the • phrase could be applied to the sounds of the land and 1 the bush, and the rushing 'waters. These preceded; "human language here. Thei I predominant language at anyj
time is determined by a; complex of factors involved! in the evolution of language.! It is never determined sim-j ply by legislation or educa- ' tion. English is currently I New Zealand’s oredominant language. Mr Russell’s other contention, that New Zealand is “the Maoris’ coun-l try,” is similarly fallacious. No group has absolute claim to the earth or any part of it. All New Zealanders have equal rights and opportu-; (nities whether their ances-1 tors arrived in the tenth, I ‘nineteenth, or whatever, cenItury. Mr Russell’s state-! 'ments are, sadly, misguided and divisive. — Yours, etc., M. EDWARDS. September 25, 1975.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33959, 27 September 1975, Page 14
Word Count
165Maori language Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33959, 27 September 1975, Page 14
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