Maori-pakeha equality

Press, 19 May 1984, Page 16

Maori-pakeha equality

Sir,—l note with concern that regular Bible readings for State secondary school pupils is one of the remits to be considered at the National Party’s Waikato divisional conference. Surely, in the interests of racial equality, such readings ought to be in Maori.—Yours, etc., C. J. ACKERLEY, A. O. WILLIAM. May 18, 1984.

Sir,—lt was disturbing to read John Gould’s articles on the position of Maori people in New Zealand society. The blatant assumption of white superiority and a perpetuation of the doctrine of assimilation were presented along with a gross distortion of the concept of separatism. Some of the analogies used were ridiculous e.g. separate hospitals. It is even more disturbing that your paper has given so much space and prominence to one pakeha’s view. The articles were given a prestigious position in the paper and the photograph with its caption was deliberately chosen to evoke fear and antagonism. Your editorial with its implication that the concern springs from extreme Maori activists preys upon and adds fuel to the fears engendered by such racially-biased reporting. It is easy for the powerful to insist that change must come slowly. The victims of our racist system have been patient for 140 years.—Yours, etc.,