SPRINGBOKS' TOUR

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 299, 14 September 1936, Page 8

SPRINGBOKS' TOUR

Maoris Seek Assurance From South Africa - ___ ■ ■ ACTION BY N.Z.R.U. By Telegraph—Pre®. Association. Rotorua, September 12. As a result of*'a conference in Wellington between representatives of a number of North 'lsland Maori tribes and members of the New Zealand Rugby Union,, there is every prospect of an amicable settlement of the dispute which has arisen with the forthcoming tour of the South African Rugby football team. It is stated that after thp'vlews of the Maori representatives had been fully laid before the members of the union It was decided to write to the South African Union setting out these views and asking for an assurance that the tourists are grepared to treat the members of the Maori race as 'New Zealanders and not as members of tan inferior race. If such an assurance is given, the Maori representatives, expressed the opinion that the members of their race would be only too willing to meet tHe tourists on the playing field and also to extend to them the friendliest of welcomes.

The Rt. Rev. F. A. Bennett, Bishop of Aotearoa, suggested when the Maori trouble arose that an assurance that no colour line would be drawn should be sought from South Africa, his opinion being that if this were received the Maoris would welcome the Springboks with traditional hospitality. The South Africans have never suggested that they will not play against Maoris. The present position -has arisen because some Maori tribes have declared that, because of things they say happened tn 1921, they will have nothing to do with the Springboks on or off the field. The South African Rugby Board will probably give the assurance now sought quite readily.