Remarks ‘irresponsible’

Press, 7 August 1981, Page 4

Remarks ‘irresponsible’

Remarks by an Aboriginal activist, about the effectiveness of HART leaders were last evening described by Mr Hori Brennan, a Christchurch Maori leader, as irresponsible. Mr Brennan was commenting on a Press Association report from Sydney, which quoted Mr Gary Foley, an Aboriginal activist, € as saying that HART’s leaders were a “pack of lily-white little liberals.” Mr Foley said that the non-violent protest at Palmerston North was an example of “white organisers going to water,” and that the Springbok tour was set for a

detonation which would make events at Hamilton and Gisborne look insignificant. Mr Brennan said he was annoyed by the statements. He said it was unfortunate that Mr Foley should single out white people in New •.Zealand, “placing strains on the already stretched relationships between Maoris and pakehas.” “Mr Foley would be well advised to stay in Australia and aim his remarks at his own country, and clean up his own backyard, before making insulting statements about New Zealanders who have the democratic right to

demonstrate their feedings for or against any issue that faces this country,” Mr Brennan said. New Zealanders — white or brown — should not take Mr Foley’s statements as representing the feelings - of Maoris in New Zealand, he said. , “It would be in the interest of Mr Foley and the Aboriginal people if he put his priorities in their proper perspective, by facing and fighting the problem in his own country, rather than using the New Zealand situation as a platform to give some recognition to his battle for his own people.”