Untitled

Te Ao Hou, September 1961, Page 55

(a) The fact that Maori parents are less capable than their Pakeha counterparts of helping their children with appropriate vocational guidance. (b) Lack of communication between Maori parents and children. (c) A laissez-faire attitude towards their children's vocational careers. (d) Maori parents do not set a very good example in occupational matters. (e) Ambivalence about children leaving home. Dr Ausubel sees racial prejudice and discrimination as the greatest problem facing New Zealand in integrating the Maori into New Zealand society. On the subject of vocational inspirations he writes: “Of all the factors impeding the implementation of Maori vocational inspirations, the problem of colour prejudice and discrimination is the most serious and potentially the most dangerous”. While it is true that there are employers who show racial prejudice it can be stated that the Department of Maori Affairs has never found any difficulty in placing any Maori youth in a position appropriate to his or her educational qualifications. This theme of colour prejudice and racial discrimination runs right through the book. Dr Ausubel's verdict is that the state of race relations in New Zealand is bad and is getting worse. This verdict is so much opposed to most New Zealanders' idea of themselves that it is liable to be rejected out of hand as a distorted caricature. Before we reject Dr Ausubel's assessment, we should pause to search our hearts to be sure that there is not a substantial element of truth in what he says.