Getting to the real psychological point

Press, 29 May 1978, Page 16

Getting to the real psychological point

By -

A. K. GRANT

Most New Zealanders are unaware of the emotional and psychological complexities of the Bastion Point issue. This was the main point made by Christchurch psychologist. Dr E. D. Puss, in a paper, “The Complexities of Cross-Cul-tural Trespassing,” delivered to the New Zealand Institute of Panelbeaters seminar at Queen Elizabeth Park yesterday. “The first point we have to bear in mind,” said Dr Puss, "is that Crown Land has deep emotional and psychological significance for the Commissioner of Crown Lands, (Mr G. McMillan). For him, it is not just land: it is part of his life, and indeed the very reason for his existence. Thus, when a bunch of Maoris come along, put up a collection of ram. shackle huts on Crown Land, start living and trespassing in them, and then

claim that the land is theirs anyway, the Commissioner of Crown Lands suffers a deep, psychic affront. The action of the trespassers represents a threat to his status as guardian of the land, and challenges beliefs, such as the rule of law, which are almost sacred in character. “Hence the entirely characteristic resort to the forces of the law to put an end to the trespass. This is a defence mechanism very commonly exhibited by people who cannot handle the complex emotions aroused when people who have no right to be there start camping on their land. It is in every sense _ legitimate response, and in many ways a healthy one, and people who have rushed in to criticise the police and the Lands and Survey Department for their action at Bastion Point should try to understand the very deep, almost unconscious motiva-

tions which are at work here.” “The pro lem,” Dr Puss went on to say, “is that for the Maori, the act of trespassing also has deep emotional and psychological significance. To the Maori, the trespasser is a hero, a warrior, a man expressing himself and finding fulfilment in doing so. Furthermore, the act of trespassing enables the Maori to find release from many psychic tensions which, if not released in this way, may do untold damage to the trespasser’s personality’. Freud has taught us. to recognise the neuroses which may arse from sexual repression. Ic is, however, not widely realised that a Maori forced to restrain his natural urge to commit trespass, may be, psychica’ly, very much at risk. Thus we have this enormously difficult situation where the Commissioner of Crown Lands, for reasons which he is only imperfectly conscious of, seeks to uphold the law and the Maori, on the other hand, again largely unconsciously, seek to preserve his mental health and equilibrium through trespassing. And of course the harm that is done when a person who is freely and naturallv trespassing and has that trespassing put an end to, is incalculable. Ingemar Johansson calculates that in Sweden, 20 per cent of hospital beds are occupied by Maori trespassers suffering from exogenous depression,” Dr Puss went on to say that in his view the police action at Bastion Point was an undesirable resolution of the problem. “I am not saying there are any easv answers,” he said, modestly. “But if I had been handling the situation I would, for a start, have put all parties, incl ding the Commissioner of Crown Lands, on a course of drug therapy, combined with counselling. And if that did not work —well, I don’t think ECT is much use in this sort of situation. I think probably what I would have done would be dig a large pit and try to lure the Maoris into it.”-