Race complaint rejected, but M.P. objects

Press, 8 November 1980, Page 22

Race complaint rejected, but M.P. objects

PA Invercargill The Race Relations Councillor, Mr . Hiwi Tauroa, has ruled against the Invercargill Member of Parliament, Mr N. P. H. Jones, in his complaint against the. Maori activist group, Maranga MaiBut Mr Jones has refused to accept the decision and proposes to. lay a complaint with the Minister of Justice (Mr McLay) against the office of the Race Relations Conciliator which makes it unlawful on the ground that the decision is “nothing short of racism in reverse." Last month, Mr Jones complained about the group after, a programme in the Beehive theatrette which culminated in a bottle’s being smashed against'a wall. He said he was appalled by the obscenities, filth, and four-letter words which were used to get across a message that was definitely •He described the message as racist and militant. Mr Jones laid his complaint with the conciliator. under section 9a

of the Race Act, for any person to use in public place words which are threatening, abusive, or insulting and likely' to . excite hostility or ill-will against any group on the grounds of colour, race, ethnic or national origin. However, after seeing the play, the conciliator wrote to Mr Jones saying he was unable to find sufficient cause to sustain a complaint under the rele- •• vant section. ; He also found that at no point were words used which were likely to incite racial disharmony. Mr Jones said that the decision, in his opinion, made a mockery of the office of the Race Relations Conciliator. . "If I said publicly evan S'£SSs their play against pakeha?, l *«t-spe-Marahgi Mai’fot titagif ."btomach for it ’ and make ,i ..their own Johies said.