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Te Ao Hou, 1970, Page 4

The Editor, ‘Te Ao Hou’ Dear Sir, I was interested to read of Col. C. M. Bennett's suggestion for New Zealand to make more use of its Maori population in trade and relations with South East Asia, reported in your issue No. 66. As a New Zealander working with Blackfoot Indians in Canada, I would heartily endorse this suggestion — although not confining it to only South East Asia. In my job, I have invited a Maori friend, Lou Rewita, of Opotiki, to attend some of the Indian functions. We have also had a Samoan boy, Tony Palepoi, working on the Reservation. The acceptance of both by the Indian people, was instantaneous and overwhelming. There seems to be a natural affinity between the Indian and the Polynesian; one that could be encouraged. I firmly believe that with very little help, the Maori could be one of the country's most potent envoys overseas. Peter Cresswell, Executive Director, Napi Friendship Association, Box 657, Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada.