Race relations accord call

Press, 28 September 1988, Page 14

Race relations accord call

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

The Democratic Party has suggested a multipartisan approach to race relations and Maori claims, and has suggested a conference to achieve an accord. A letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, suggesting this was faxed to the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Wellington. The new leader of the Democratic Party, Mr Garry Knapp, said there

was mounting concern about the deliberations of the Waitangi Tribunal and subsequent claims and counter-claims "of a blatant political nature.” Of particular concern was the extent to which the complex matters involved had been subject to irrational and provocative comment designed to appeal to prejudices, he said. The Democratic Party had refrained from any comment in this area so

as not to add to the confusion and make an exceptionally delicate situation worse, Mr Knapp said. “Notwithstanding my criticism of other areas of Government action,' in my view your Government has largely handled this situation with sensitivity and caution," Mr Knapp told Mr Lange in the letter. “In spite of this however, the position worsens daily and an irretrievable

collapse of the relationship between Maori and paheka is now probable unless action to rescue it is taken. “I invite you, as the appropriate person, to convene a conference of the leaders and other members of all political parties with the objective of achieving a political accord or consensus on the major issues emanate ing from decisions by the Waitangi Tribunal,” he said.