New name opposed

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33985, 28 October 1975, Page 2

New name opposed

GV.Z Pre*s Association; NEW PLYMOUTH. October 27. Mount Egmont should stay Mount Egmont, according to an overwhelming majority of voters in a “mountain name” poll conducted by the “Taranaki Herald.”

More than 90 per cent (908) of the 1007 people who voted opposed the idea of changing the mountain’s name to Mt Taranaki.

Only 99 supported the change, which is being considered by the Government following representations from Taranaki Maoris to return the mountain to them, and to rechristen it with its Maori name. The poll, which has been going for a week, and is not yet over, has brought an angry response from many readers.

'•Utterly ridiculous” and “A political gimmick,” typify the comments on many voting coupons.

Dozens of replies decried the representation to the Government as the action of a minority pressure group. "The mountain belongs to all New Zealanders, not just the Maoris.” said one reader. Similar replies were “It’s our heritage, too.” “Didn’t the Pakeha have anything to do

with history,” and “It’s everyone’s.” In a letter attached to his coupon, one reader wrote: “Is not the more important issue the proposed shift of a ■ national asset (i.e. the park) ' from the common ownership of every member of this , nation, be they Greek, Hungarian, Chinese, or whatever, to a racial minority?” Such remarks were countered by some of those in favour of the name change. “Our pride and heritage is in the mountain ‘Taranaki’,” said one man. Another said that he wanted the change “to restore the dignity and identity of the Maori people with their land.” “Taranaki the people. Taranaki the mountain,” was the comment on one coupon. Voters listed a wide variety of reasons for opposing the change. Many said the present name was known internationally, and to alter it would lead to confusion, would harm the tourist industry’ and cause considerable cost in replacing signs and altering maps and brochures. Others felt that it was pointless trying to change ' history, and some said that New Zealand already had a fair share of Maori place names. “I was born in the shadow ' of Mt Egmont. and it will always be Mt Egmont to me," wrote one reader.

One couple said thev hoped any name change would not include places like Egtnont Village. “We’re old Egmont Villagers and proud of it,” they wrote. Several people wondered where name changes would end. “Does this mean New Zealand will be renamed Aotearoa?” asked more than one voter. Criticism of the Government was clear in some cases. One voter said that if Mr Rowling thought the change could solve the economic situation then it was okay, but "if not, leave the damn thing alone.” The fact that Taranaki was the mountain's historical Maori name, and the name • given by the Maoris before i European setitement, was the . most common reason people • had for favouring a name : change. Many f£lt “Egmont’* , was an imposition. Others said “Taranaki” > would be in line with the I mountains in the middle of . the North Island. Some said sit sounded better than > “Egmont.” One man favoured a change i "only if it will stop that . . . ; mountain wind.” The Prime Minister (Mr ■ Rowling) is expected to make - an anouncement on the issue ’at an election meeting in Taranaki on November 11.