Treaty of Waitangi

Press, 21 July 1988, Page 12

Treaty of Waitangi

Sir, —New Zealand does not belong to the Maoris. It belongs to everyone, whether they arrived in canoes or ships. Maoris and pakehas have had equal opportunity in life. Everyone starts off equal and has the same rights to education, health care, employment, owning a home, etc. We have all made New Zealand what it is today, so whose fault is it that some people get further in life than others? It is the individual concerned. — Yours, etc.,

D. BAKER. July 17, 1988.

Sir,—Congratulations on your features, “Living in one country.” I hope they are republished in book form for they supply a balanced view. One correspondent, Liz Milne, raised an eyebrow about the popular term “pakeha.” In a book, “Old time Maoris,” by Makarita Papakura (then an Oxford student), there is a long footnote (page 110) observing that the word was a corruption of a favourite crude retort of the early whalers. As Professor Flynn suggests, it is sad to see the Maori language being promoted heavily, thus digging an economic grave behind a cultural Berlin Wall. "Living in one country” needs only one language, for efficient social and economic intercourse. — Yours, etc.,

M. LYONS. July 19, 1988.

Sir, —The Waitangi Tribunal is a well-meant blunder. It can only perpetuate many stalemated claims and wrangles, and it will soon create racial havoc. It seems we have drifted into a racial minefield, full of explosive potential. Somehow, we must find an honourable way out. Professor Flynn diagnosed the big oppressive handicap holding Maoris back in our society — inadequate education, denying them jobs, and breeding inferiority complexes. Perhaps this could be solved with one package deal. Recognising some possible injus-

tices, could we satisfy all present and future claims now, by negotiating one, single, once-for-all cash settlement? This could be used to endow a Maori Education Trust, with massive funds to research and reorganise Maori education, providing many more facilities, more encouragement and help, to equip Maoris fully to compete in the world in which we must all live together, as equals. It is, no doubt, an ambitious, costly plan, but how else can we save our society? — Yours, etc.,

P. R. COOPER. July 16, 1988.

Sir, —I have read with interest “The Press’s” series of personal reflections on race relations in New Zealand. It is a fine point as to how wide a range of opinions such a series should encompass. Presumably, some thought was given to this by whoever commissioned the articles. I would, however, question the justification for publishing such views as those expressed by James Flynn (July 13), his professorship at Otago University notwithstanding. For him to say that the solution for Maoris is to become skilled, contributing, tax-paying citizens, and political allies (of whom?) is arrogance in the extreme. Can he seriously think that the white, capitalist, middleclass system (which does not even work for the white, capitalist middle-class) is the salvation of Maori people? Why does he not also recommend that their skins be scrubbed white, and then the whole problem could be seen to be wiped out? — Yours, etc. RICHARD MAPP. July 17,1988.

[We agree that the selection of writers raises some fine points. Nevertheless, such difficulties should not stop the publication of considered, temperate and, we believe, useful and challenging views. Many other opinions have been printed in our columns. We believe that Professor Flynn, drawing on analogies and experience elsewhere, had not the slightest intention of recommending what is suggested by our correspondent. — Editor.]