Allowing Maori Women In Bars

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1948, Page 2

Allowing Maori Women In Bars

WELLINGTON, Wed. (Sp.)—Objections to the provisions in the Licensing Amendment Bill which allow Maori women to enter public bars and Maori men to take bottles of liquor away from hotels were expressed by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holand) in the House of Representatives last night. The acting-Prime Minister (Mr Nash’) replied that while there might be dangers, it was preferable to put Maoris and Europeans on an equal footing. Mr Holland said that while there was no direct provision in the bill to permit Maori women to enter public bars, it was contained in a regulation which was being revoked. “There is no party politics in this,” said Mr Holland.

“I am thinking of the welfare of the Maori people We are doing something which will not be to their advantage. SAME OPPORTUNITY “The only way in which the Maori people can come to the level due to them is to give them the same opportunities as Europeans,” said Mr Nash. “What is the difference between seeing a Maori woman and a whjte woman in an hotel bar ? “To discriminate between the races is entirely and completely wrong. The Maori will not get strong so long as he is placed in a protected position. “With all its dangers, we have got to give the Maori equality. I know the dangers to which the Leader of the Opposition refers, but there would be greater dangers in saying that a Maori woman was on a lower scale than a European and wanted some protection. I have not] seem many women in bars. All we are doing in this bill is to take out of our laws a discriminatory clause.”

Mr J. Mathison (G —Avon), who was chairman of the Select Committee which considered the bill, said that the Opposition members on the committee were unaimous in opposing the provision for allowing Maori women to enter public bars. This provision had been carried on the casting vote of the chairman.