Changes needed in thinking and attitudes

Press, 1 November 1984, Page 3

Changes needed in thinking and attitudes

, Attempts to separate Maori and pakeha into racial compartments would court disaster and must be resisted, said Sir James Henare at the Maori Summit conference yester-

day. r< We are all necessary to one another/’ he said. Maoris would continue to need the help that only the strong could give the weak, to enable them to help -nselv - That should >t

themselves. -nat should not be seen as “separatism” but “self-determination.” Mistakes had been made, by Maoris and others, Sir James said. It was an outlet and a safety valve to let off steam and to grieve for them awhile.

“But it is destructive of all initiative to sorrow unduly and tarry too long in the shadow of our blunders,” he said. “We should not dwell too long on the mistakes of the past, certainly not in bigotry, nor in temporary political gain, nor in abuse of another race.

“Sometimes we become very vocal about our rights and freedom to do as we please,” he said, “but sotto voce about our obligations and responsibilities to our families and the wider community,” said Sir James.

The road back would be hard and long. It had to be travelled by way of the school, the college, the technical institute, the university, the farmland the factory. There was no other road.

Maoris had to be prepared to change their thinking and attitudes, Sir James said, and to disregard the superficial for-the substantial .