Too much in common to drift apart—Lange

Press, 1 August 1989, Page 7

Too much in common to drift apart—Lange

By

BRENDON BURNS

in Wellington Many New Zealanders still want to ignore the Treaty of Waitangi, while Maori people want their dealings with Government determined by it, said the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, last evening. Launching the new Ministry of Maori Affairs, he said the differing attitudes were not irreconcilable. Mr Lange told an audience in the Beehive of invited Maori representatives from throughout

New Zealand that all New Zealanders had to understand the differences between the races and negotiate agreements. “We all have to live together. For all dur disagreements we have too much in common to drift apart,” he Said. The Treaty of Waitangi had been one of the greatest challenges faced by the Government, he said: Some saw it as a symbol of injustice, others felt guilty about it. ‘Bther people wish they

had never heard of it,” said Mr Lange. ■ The Government had to have an active working relationship with Maori people or it would have confrontation, he said. This had led to long consultation in reshaping Maori Affairs administration. The Ministry of Maori Affairs would have a leading responsibility to advise the Government on how to improve the way it responded to the needs of Maori people, said Mr Lange.