MAORI APPRECIATION

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 254, 23 July 1937, Page 13

MAORI APPRECIATION

Springbok Expression of

Goodwill

By Telegraph—Press Association Hotorua, July 22. Appreciation of the friendly sentiments of members of the Springbok team toward the Maori race, when they expressed a desire to meet the Maoris both on and off the playing field, was expressed by Mr. H. Tai Mitchell on behalf of the Arawa tribe to-day. When the prospect of a Springbok tour was first announced, the Arawa tribe prepared a memorial expressing the hope that a definite statement would be made clarifying the attitude of the visitors toward the Maori people in view of the colour-line prejudices entertained by the South Africans. Mr. Mitehell said that he could say with confidence that the Springboks’ expression of goodwill would be reciprocated in every part of New Zealand where Maori communities existed, and that the traditional hospitality of the race would lie extended to the visitors whenever they visited these communities. His only regret was that the statement had not been matte earlier for, if this had been done, the Maori people would have had time to prepare their football representatives to meet such doughty opponents in proper fashion. The South Africans, he thought, would prefer to meet a properly’ representative Maori team rather than one brought together at short notice.