PAKEHA AND MAORI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 14

PAKEHA AND MAORI.

Sir,—ln the Herald of November 17 appeared a leading article headed " Pakeha and Maori- ' It was a very interesting article and was a complete refutation of the charges made by Mr. J. A. Thompson against "the Miori race. ; In New Zealand there is a feeling, of respect for the native race such as exis|s in no other part of the world, and this fueling is not engendered without cause, as your able article so carefully sets forth; I would like to mention here that when I was in Rome I heard the opinion of the Maori race from a very celebrated and intelligent man, called Signer Berine, who had made a life-time study- of the original inhabitants of various countries. He spoke of the Maori -of New Zealand as no£ equalled,in intelligence „by .any other coloured race," and' the reason why they enjoyed equality with the white race of New Zealand was explained by. the , fact that the latter recognised "ffois intelligence as being equal to their own. Wealth, he went on to say, might be acquired, but brains and intellect are direct gifts. Hence the white children of New. Zealand looked upon the Maoris in a truly intellectual and intelligent, way; It is hoped , that a summary of your article will reach the furthermost parts of "the world to combat this unwarrantable statement made by a gentleffiara.who"' 'spoke without a -knowledge of- his utterancevr r;:;' ■