Peters: race relations first

Press, 23 October 1989, Page 7

Peters: race relations first

Wellington reporter Personal ambition was less important than making sure the National Party had a practical race relations policy, the recently demoted Opposition spokesman on Maori affairs, Mr Winston Peters, said yesterday. Adopting a calculatedly contrite and loyal tone after last week’s spat with his Leader, Mr Bolger, Mr Peters said his demotion made no difference to his commitment to Maori affairs.

He lost his employment spokesmanship to Mr John Banks on Thursday when Mr Bolger retaliated against criticism of hiS leadership by Mr Peters.

“In rugby parlance I have been shifted from number eight to number 13 — 1 suppose that makes me the centre,” Mr Peters said.

He praised the National Party organisation for its “excellent” remits to the annual conference on Maori affairs.

A position paper on Maori policy had been prepared and would be circulated soon. Mr Peters faced criticism from colleagues this week, with claims he had formulated little policy in spite of his success in exposing scandals in his portfolio areas. National had to ensure it had a "clear, compassionate, and realistic path to solve the Treaty of Waitangi impasse," he said. Confusion about, the Treaty, high Maori unemployment, and Maori educational under-achieve-ment were all contributing to worsening race relations.

“It is time for all the New Zealand public to be •properly consulted” he ’said,