SPRINGBOKS’ TOUR.

Wairarapa Age, 28 July 1936, Page 6

SPRINGBOKS’ TOUR.

ACTION BY ARAWA MAORIS CRITICISED. VIEWS OF EAST COAST NATIVES. WAIROA, July 27. Maori footballers in this district do not intend to identify themselves with any action taken by the Arawa Maoris to boycott the South African footballers, if one can judge by the opinions expressed by Maori Rugby players here, who say that they are looking forward to the visit of the Springboks and would welcome the opportunity of meeting them. Three former Maori All Blacks, two of whom played against the Springboks when they were last in New Zealand voiced views that it was a pity the Arawa Maoris had suggested that any such action as boycotting be taken. One Maori player who played in the much discussed 1921 match between the Springboks and the Maoris at Napier said he thought the Arawa Maoris were making a mountain out of a molehill. He said feeling in the game did run a bit high but that was nothing. The trouble was all caused by one man and he did not sea why it should not be forgotten. “Those of us who have travelled know what the position is with regard to what they call the colour bar/ 7 he said, “but we don’t worry about that. If the Springboks don’t like us and we have any differences let us it out on the football field. We can take all the Springboks like to give us and hand a little bit back too. I don’t know why the Rotorua Maoris are complaining,” he added, “they have not produced many good footballers.” Another Maori All Black said he was greatly disappointed at the action of the Arawas. He had hoped that if there was any feeling that it had been forgotten. He did not resent the fact that no Maoris were included in the' New Zealand team that toured South Africa in 1928. He had been to South Africa and knowing the position there, thought it was a very wise move not to include Maoris in the team. “The visit of the South African team to New Zealand,” he said, “is a totally different thing. In New Zealand there is no distinction between Maori and pakeha. We are on an entirely different footing to the natives of South Africa and we have always been given the privileges of the pakeha. I don’t think we should object to playing against the Springboks. I for one would not. The game is the thing. It is the ball we are playing with and not the men we are playing against.” Another prominent Maori, a former representative footballer, who was an emergency for the 1921 game at Napier said that if there were going to be any ill feeling he thought the wisest course for the Rugby Union to taka would be to instruct its selectors not to include Maoris in any of the teams to meet the Springboks.—(l*.A.)

ARAWAS SUPPORTED. NORTH CANTERBURY MAORIS. CHRISTCHURCH, July 27. The North Canterbury Maoris at a conference at Tuahiwi yesterday decided to support wholeheartedly the memorial sent by the Arawas to the New Zealand Rugby Union refusing to play against the Springboks during their tour of New Zealand next year. Mr. J. T. Piki, president of the Tuahiwi Football Club, and a former Maori All Black who played against the Springboks in the North Island on the last tour, told the conference of the attitude of the Springboks on that visit. After some discussion it was decided unanimously to support the Arawas’ memorial and that the North Canterbury Maoris did not want to be associated with the visitors next year. -(P-A.)