Mutton On The Menu

Te Ao Hou, March 1963, Page 57

Mutton On The Menu by Michael Davis A. H. & A. W. Reed, 15/- ‘Mutton on the Menu’ is a highly entertaining book, as easily digested as toheroa, pork bone and puha. The story is that of a young Englishman who has been sent out to this country by his father in order to be toughened up by an uncle, a typical Kiwi sheep farmer. The author portrays the New Zealand situation, and of course race relations. The message rings loud and clear—that although Maoris and Pakehas have lived side by side for the last hundred years, they are still certainly not living together. The Kiwi farmer's stereotype of his Maori neighbours is a very typical one: they are lazy, good for nothing in particular, and given to appropriating things which strictly speaking are not their own property. In this case there is a certain basic truth in this, but it is not until Hori has an accident that the Kiwi comes to see his good points as well, and they really become friends. Furthermore, by this time accounts had been squared between them, everyone has had his revenge on everyone else, and everyone is happy. Maoris and Pakehas should read this book; I think they will enjoy it as much as I have. —Brownie Puriri