THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1949. BROWN AND WHITE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27059, 19 April 1949, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1949. BROWN AND WHITE

Once again Sir Peter Buck, himself a notable example of the happy blending of European and Polynesian bloods, has drawn attention to the social phenomenon that will confront New Zealand in the n’ot-too-distant future—that of a substantial minority of citizens of mixed Maori and European descent. But Sir Peter’s prediction that these people “ will combine the best features of each of the lines of parentage ” will be fulfilled only conditions are created that will provide people of mixed blood with equal opportunities to compete with the dominant and, at present, _ technologically superior, white majority. The subject is one that should be approached frankly if serious problems are to be averted in the future. Men of the stature of Sir Peter Buck, Sir James Carroll, Bishop Bennett, and Sir Apirana Ngata have, in their lives and works, testified that both Maoris and mixed bloods are intellectually as capable as the most superior Europeans, and although colour distinctions are not altogether unknown in New Zealand the attitude of the European population generally is one of tolerance towards Maoris and people of mixed extraction.

It cannot be denied, nevertheless, that unreasoned prejudices do exist against the acceptance of mixedbloods on terms of full equality, and the reason for these prejudices is not far to seek. As a rule the union of white and brown persons has led to the withdrawal of the white partner from his or her familiar environment to the more companionable, less exacting—and perhaps more superficially tolerant — atmosphere of the Maori community. This course almost inevitably leads to a surrender of the living and social standards which the white partner was wont to maintain, and a substantial reduction of the opportunities for advancement available to the children of the marriage. These children are the crux of the whole problem. For them the temptation, and the opportunity, to conform to the Maori pattern is irresistible, yet their subconscious awareness of their white blood, and the influence of the white parent, precludes their ever attaining wholly to the Maori metaphysic, and they meanwhile are deprived of the experience of meeting on equal terms the children with whom they must compete for a living in the future. The misfortunes of the many mixed-bloods who have grown to maturity without the beneficial influence of a superior code of behaviour are the warning that must be heeded by a community in which mixed marriages are showing a steady increase. The “ striking advances ” which Sir Peter Buck sess have been made by the Maori people do not, unfortunately, include improvements in the social structure designed to give the children of the Maori communities equal opportunity with Europeans. Perhaps the greatest weakness in the present system is the sketchy and wholly inadequate education given to Maori girls. If these girls are to become mothe - of good citizens their education must be sufficient to counter the ignorance and superstition with which much of their early life is overlaid, and must be so directed that they can with confidence look forward to a future offering greater possibilities than an existence “on the mat.” The social responsibilities which these girls must carry in later" years are heavy, but at present the preparation given them is pitifully inadequate.