Minister criticises Maori ‘radicals’

Press, 10 February 1982, Page 1

Minister criticises Maori ‘radicals’

Parliamentary reporter

The Minister of Maori Affairs (Mr Couch) yesterday hit out at the extremism of some Maori protesters, calling them “racist radicals." “As a Maori myself — and I know I am not alone in this — I resent the name of Maoridom being used as a political tool by a bunch of racist radicals who do not speak for anyone but themselves," Mr Couch said. • He said that the extremists had no solid support from Maoris generally. "This is quite clear from the number of professional protesters who turn up with monotonous and noisy regularity at every gathering, whether or not they, understand or, believe in ‘ its' purpose." he said. "If., these, people, are so certain they have the support of the majority, why is it that we never hear of them standing , for election., to Parliament so they could speak with the authority of the voters? “Or is if easier to throw insults and missiles at passive policemen and claim an authority that they have dqne nothing to earn? “I see only one danger from these people, and that is that other New Zealanders may come to judge all Maoris by these racist few." Mr Couch said. "Fortunately, this is not very likely, the great majorly of mature New Zealanders have too much sense to be fooled by the noisy few who have nothing to preach but destruction, and nothing to back them but hate.” he said.