Claims racist—Lange

Press, 19 July 1989, Page 1

Claims racist —Lange

PA Wellington Thd Prime Minister, Mr Lange, has described as racist claims by an activist, Mr Syd Jackson, that Maoris taking part in the Commonwealth Games would be branded “collaborators.” Mr Jackson’s comments were made on Auckland’s Radio Aotearoa. Mr Lange strongly condemned Mr Jackson's comments yesterday, saying they were “offensive and dangerous." He said New Zealanders would be “revolted”. “New Zealand has a real opportunity in 1990 to build on the strengths of different races and cultures. Extremist threats by the likes of Syd Jackson should be

dismissed for the racist nonsense it is.” The Opposition spokesman on Maori affairs, Mr Winston Peters, also attacked Mr Jackson’s claim. Mr Peters said the "overwhelming majority of Maoridom” would reject the call “as being more an effort by Mr Jackson to promote his own personality than the advancing of any serious issue.” . : : “Mr Jackson was not a representative of young Maori 20 years ago and still is not but his message remains the same,” Mr Peters said. “Maoridom is getting a trifle sick of these’ posers who suffer from recognition hunger.”