Paper let off

Press, 23 September 1988, Page 6

Paper let off

PA Auckland No further action would be taken against the “Auckland Star” for a “Kill-a-white” article, the newspaper reported yesterday. The Race Relations Conciliator, Mr Walter Hirsh, informed the newspaper of his decision in a brief letter received on Wednesday. It said in part: “I have considered your reply (the newspaper was criticised by Mr Hirsh for publishing the article but

refused to apologise) and wish to advise you that no further action will be taken by this office in the matter.” Mr Hirsh received more than 50 complaints after a Maori nationalist, Hana Te Hemira, told a gathering on the Auckland University marae that young Maoris should “kill a white before you die and be a hero.” Ms Te Hemira said after the article was printed that she was misquoted and what she

was expressing was a concern about what could happen rather than expressing a recommendation. Mr Hirsh said yesterday the Race Relations Office had decided it was not worth stretching resources to take further action which was likely to be no more satisfactory to all concerned. “In this case we decided that probably nothing could be achieved by taking it to the Equal Rights Tribunal,” he said.