REPLY TO ARAWAS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 32, 6 August 1936, Page 22

REPLY TO ARAWAS

RUGBY UNION'S APPEAL

UNITY DESIRED

A NATIONAL ISSUE

An appeal for unity, leaving the major question of whether or not Maoris- shall be chosen to play in matches next year ' against the /touring. Springbok Rugby team, was made by Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union, when delivering a reply to a memorandum from the Arawa tribe, Rotorua, last night, asking, in effect, that no Maoris should be chosen to play next season.

The memorandum was delivered as the result of a meeting of elders of the tribe at Rotorua and,, a: controversy imjnediately developed in all parts of the Dominion on the question. The A^awas alleged that incidents connected with the 1921 tour of New Zealand by the Springbbks had left an unforgettable memory, of, distaste, and they declined to entertain the visitors ml traditional style should they Arrive at' Rotorua during the course of the .tour. ' ' 'Claiming that the Springboks wera now more fully aware of the true position, Mr.., Dean last night-asked the Arawas to leave the question to the wisdom of the New Zealand Rugby Union. No discussion was held by members of the management committee. The statement will be sent to Mr. H. Tai Mitchell. Rotorua, and it reads as follows:— '"•-■•' "I am in receipt of your letter of July 23 forwarding resolutions passed at a '-, meeting of-.- Te . Arawa held, recently in Tama te Kapua meeting houss in reference to the forthcoming visit of the South African Rugby footbaHteam. In conveying these resolutions to me as chairman of the management committee of the New Zealand. Rugby Union you very rightly stress the delicacy of 'the subject opened up for ■ consideration. .This is not only because-of the racial'issue raised, but of the fact that it involves the representatives of a sister Dominion and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. '; -.' •'. "I am confident: that in our joint deliberations over the whole position such a loyal tribe as Te Arawa, whose past record is eloquent of a wise appreciation of all the diverse human elements comprised within our Empire, will recognise the difficulties of a body governing such a sport as Riigby football, which involves periodical interchange of visits between representatives of various parts' of that Empire. "It is regrettable, but. inevitable \in the circumstances that. the resolutions should refer to incidents, which are reported to have occurred during the Springboks' visit in 1921. As New Zealanders who are proud of the fact that in this country pakeha arid Maori live side by side on a footing of equality and mutual esteem, the members of nry committee are at one with yourselves in .deprecating incidents, which evidence ,a viewpoint happily absent from our relationships here. ■'V- ; 'The.issue raised is a national one .in which the^Maoripomt of view must ;-fee givelSSlKe?-fullest'Consideration;: together :\ -with the broader aspect of

Empire inter-relationship. I ask Te

Arawa to reflect whether in the adjustof relationships-between-Eakeha^ and Native races,;-which in the course of history have been brought'together in many parts of the world, the happy ■ example of Maori and- pakeha in Hew

Zealand may not have its influence in

breaking down those prejudices and > antipathies, which" the resolutions under consideration condemn. \ "I am informed that in Maori history, indignities and affronts,' which affected : the dignity of - chieftains and tribes, were not requited in the manner suggested in the resolutions, but in other ways which will no doubt occur to you. The history of Maori partici r pation in modern sports has-proved that the Maori of today has not lost those, qualities of sportsmanship and chivalry in the rivalries of peace, which his forefathers displayed in serious warfare. Your elders will, I-am sure, draw inspiration from their"; tribal history as to the, wisest course to follow, '.today. •■'•; -; ."'.■■ ■>'■!,■■', ".' ;;?.,.. ; "In regard to-that portion; of the'resoi » lutions, which refersto the hospitality

of the Maori people, this verytadmir-.

, able characteristic is now'world fam- • pus, and New; Zealand owes more than has been acknowledged! inthepast to 'that section of the race which occupies the thermal district! Knowing the jealousy with which the Maori race guards its code of hospitality, its application under circumstances,which may. arise next year, but which cannot be, foreseen, may be safely left in the "": hands of the-various Maori commurii-' ties. .'.-.■.■. ...--.

i; "My committee is anxious to do the jright thing "in regard to the matters; raised in your resolutions. ■ So far as tour visitors for next year are con--cerned,. where and when they should meet on the football field is a matter ior tho governing.body here. I think that the strongest and wisest course to adopt is to expect them to conform to the codes obtaining in this country. I may express the, hope that the existence of the singular relationship between the two races in New Zealand,; which they should'now be fully aware of, ihajr be recognised towards the Maori people throughout their tour. ..•■:' "In conclusion, I. ask Te Arawa td leave the major question of Maoris participating in matches against ■"' the South Africans next year to the judgment of the governing body, which is. now seized of the,position and has be-' fore rit the expressions ;of opinion, of; players and prominent associated with Rugby football and of pakehas in various parts of . the Dominion connected with the management of the sport."