ARAWAS HASTY, SAYS MAORI LEADER

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 256, 25 July 1936, Page 11

ARAWAS HASTY, SAYS MAORI LEADER

Support Not Likely on

East Coast UNPLEASANT INCIDENTS NOW FORGOTTEN By Telegraph—Press Association. Gisborne, July 24. That the Arawa tribe acted somewhat hastily in the memorial to the New Zealand Rugby Union is tbe opinion of a member of the Maori Advisory Board, who is also an official of the Tairawhiti association and who has been prominent in Maori Rugby for over 20 years. “In the first place,” he said, “the matter should never have been taken direct to the New Zealand Rugby Union. It would have been better had it been forwarded to the Maori Advisory Board, which is in charge of Maori Rugby. This body could have considered the matter, and then, if it thought fit, forwarded it on to the New Zealand Rugby Union.” The Tairawhiti association had no grudge against the Springboks, and be did not think there would be much support for the Arawas from Poverty Bay and East Coast. He recalled after the Great War, when the New Zealand Army team played in South Africa, no Maori players were included. No objection was taken to that, for South Africa's colour-line problem was generally understood. When a team was visiting another country it complied with the wishes of that country, and South Africa would do the same in New Zealand. In 1928 no Maoris were taken to Africa because everyone knew of the colour line, and the Maoris might have suffered indignity from a people who did not recognise the Maori’s real status. The Maori Advisory Board, had concurred in that proposal, if indeed it did not instigate it. The Napier Game. The Arawa memorial mentioned unpleasant incidents during the previous visits. That referred to the game at Napier, when both sides were set on winning and tempers became frayed at times. The Maoris packed two-three-two, breaking up the front-row formation of the Africans. The Springboks objected to their methods and the referee, at the instance of the African captain, endeavoured to direct the Maoris how to go down in the scrum. The Maori captain, Peter Tureia, refused to be ruled on that point, and there was a certain amount of feeling in the game. That had all been forgotten. He felt sure those who played in that match would much regret the attitude taken up by the Arawas. The itinerary of the Springbok tour in New Zealand had not been fixed. He understood that the Maori Advisory Board was anxious to secure a special match and also representation in district and New Zealand matches.

SOUTHERN MAORIS LIKELY TO PLAY

Not Commercialised, As Are Those at Rotorua By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, July 24. “If the Springboks want to play the South Island Maoris there is every likelihood tliat the match will take place, because the Maoris in this island are not under the same difficulties which exist in the North Island, particularly at Rotorua, where the Natives have been affected by constant association with tourists.” This was the view expressed by Mr. Te Ari Pitama, of Tuahiwi, to-night, when he criticised the action of the Arawa tribe in placing a memorial before the New Zealand Rugby Union. “The Maoris of the Rotorua district have become commercialised,” Mr. Pitama said. “I know something of the Arawas, and they have been spoilt. I think they must have had a little jar from the South Africans last time they were here, and that might have hurt them slightly. They have been spoilt by tourists.” Mr. Pitama said he was not prepared to commit the South Island Maoris generally to a statement, but comment would probably be made at a meeting of the North Canterbury Maoris at a conference at Tuahiwi on Sunday.

“My personal feelings are that if it comes to a point we will fall in with the Arawas,” he said. “But here in the South Island there is not the distinction between Maori and pakeha which exists in the North Island, particularly about the Rotorua district. At Rotorua the local Maoris may not play on the golf

links, although visiting Maoris are permitted to do so. Unfortunately, such a memorial as this is not helping matters any. It does not matter what the South Africans think of the Maoris. We are part of New Zealand and we are interested in Rugby. If the South Africans came here and wanted to play the South Island Maoris I am sure we would give them a game,” he added. Union Leaders’ Views.

The view that it would be a pity if the Maoris either collectively or individually took no interest in the tour of the Springboks and that some solution would probably be found by the Maori Advisory Board was expressed by members of the Canterbury Rugby Union. “It would be a great pity if the Maoris did not play them,” said Dr. W. S. Seed, president of the union. “Even if they do not play as a Maori team, there seems no reason why they should not take part in other games.” Mr. A. E. McPhail, a member of the management committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union, could see no objection to participation by Maoris, if not as a team, then as individuals. The South Africans certainly had no objections to playing against Maoris.

CRICKET PRECEDENT

Abo. Bowler Against South Africans The South African cricket team which toured Australia and New Zealand in 1931-32 acknowledged, the right of a country to pick its nationals for sporting teams within its own borders, waiving any question of the colour line te allow Eddie Gilbert, aboriginal fast bowler, to play against South Africa for Queensland. The team was managed by Mr. J. H. Tandy, who was a member not only of the South African Cricket Council but also of the South African Rugby Board.