NO MAORIS NEED APPLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19762, 8 October 1927, Page 14

NO MAORIS NEED APPLY.

Sir, In supporting "New Zealander" regarding the exclusion of Maoris from the Rugby team to tour South Africa I should like to ask why it is that the New Zealand Rugby officials have practically ignored this insult to our native race generally. I have heard some say that when the odds are against Maori players they lose heart, but I can assure any such persons that this is not the case. I have seen it, nearly all team win magnificently _ m ., th ®. hall, after going on the fieid after nall time with odds greatly against themWhy should we allow the South Amcans to pick our team ? If they want a r ®P r ®" sentative team, let us send them a team representative of all New Zealand, not of one section of the community only. Rather than send such a team as pioposed, we should send none. Maori and pakeha play side by side here; they have done the same in other countries, s why should we allow the Dutch of South Africa to upset relations here? Perhaps 'we should ail like it better if this country had a name a little more British, a little less Dutch than New Zealand. Pakeha. Sir,—-I would emphasise that I had not for one moment forgotten what nearly everyone knc*ws, i.e., that the African natives are not recognised in Africa as we recognise Maoris in New Zealand. The question is not altered, however. Our ideals are still being tried and if they are found wanting who can say how tar-reaching will be the effect ? The original social and moral ethical code of the Maori was as stringent as the best of ours of to-day, and they are not to be blamed if their code to-day is less particular. It is in the hands -of the whites of New Zealand to have our ideals of equality accepted by others and, though there are many who will not agree, especially among late arrivals in New Zealand, I feel that this is the only attitude to be adopted. New Zealander.