COLOUR BAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22963, 15 February 1938, Page 14

COLOUR BAR

HAOBIS IN ENGLAND UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT MEMBERS OF TOURING CHOIR [from our OWN correspondent] LONDON, Jan. 29 An allegation that, for the first time on their tour of Britain, the colour bar was drawn against them at a Cornish hotel was made recently by a member of tho Waiata Maori Choir, which has been touring the United Kingdom for several months. Ho is reported to have said that at the hotel the guests raised objections to certain members of the Maori party staying there and they were refused admission. Interviewed on tho subject at Plymouth, the Hohepa Tutawhaio, a member of the choir, declined to disclose the name of the hotel on the ground that it was not desired to cause further unpleasantness over the matter. "Wo have never come across it before during our tour and such a thing has never happened in any other country we have visited," he 6aid. An Isolated Case When asked about the matter in London to-day tho Rev. A. J, Seamer, who came to England with the choir, said the incident was an isolated ono. Everywhere else in the United Kingdom the choir was overwhelmed with friendliness and hospitality. "The greatest thing which concerns us with regard to yourselves is the curse of disrespect," said the Rev. H. Wikiriwhi, a member of tho choir, when speaking at tho Embankment Road Methodist Church, Plymouth, last Sunday. "There are some people who will not sit in the same room with us." At another service on tho same day he emphasised that there was no colour bar in New Zealand; Tea With Viscount Craigavon The .choir will visit Ireland in the coming week. Concerts will be given in Belfast 011 February 1 and 2. The party has been invited to tea by Viscount Craigavon, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, and Viscountess Craigavon, on the day of its arrival. On the following (lay members will be received bv the Lord Mavor of Belfast at the City Hall. There was a possibility that the choir would visit the United States on the way home to New Zealand. This would have meant curtailing the British tour, however, so it has been decided to spend the extra time in England. The party will give two farewell performances in London on March _ 2D _ and 30 and shortly afterward will sail for New Zealand, via Panama. The date of departure has not been fiyed.