‘Stand tall,’ says P.M.

Press, 7 June 1982, Page 4

‘Stand tall,’ says P.M.

PA Auckland The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) has urged young Maoris to take advantage of the full education offered in New Zealand, in order to develop their natural intelligence. Speaking at the official opening of the Mount Albert Grammar School diamond jubilee, Mr Muldoon said that he believed the answer was motivation. As a result, he had given his full support to the Tu Tangata programme which aimed to encourage young Maoris to "stand tali" and take advantage of what was offered in New Zealand.

"Our Army and the Anglican Church have both in recent years been headed by Maoris,” Mr Muldoon said, "and yet our jails have a total disproportionate Maori population." He urged Maori people to use the years of their youth to gain- education so that

they could not only live a fulfilled life but contribute to the wellbeing of the next generation. Mr Muldoon said it was only in recent times that differences between New Zealanders of European origin, Maoris, and other Polynesians had been pointed out.

Some pakehas had formed anti-Establishment attitudes and had tried to use racial disharmony as a weapon with which to attack the Establishment, he said.

Referring to his contemporaries at Mount Albert Grammar School who served during World War 11, Mr Muldoon said he prayed that another generation would not be faced with "such holocausts." "The people of Britain to day are proving that the lessons of the 1930 s have not been forgotten. “They are not about to appease today’s dictators,” Mr Muldoon said.