THE OTHER SIDE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 24, 14 November 1944, Page 4

THE OTHER SIDE

SO much has been said and written of late regarding the future of the Maori. Much of it is stained with a pessimistic outlook based on the behaviour of a certain larrikin and unfortunately growing element. The main reason however for the focussing of growing attention and in some instances, concern upon the Maori and his future, is due to the growing numerical strength of his race, despite the ravages of disease and the demoralising effects upon his constitution of what one local Board speaker chose to describe as 'booze.' Out of the mass of criticism and rebuke there has unfortunately crept the suggestion of 'colour To any who have made the slightest study of what such a term means and implies, this is not merely a misnomer, but is entirely an absurd and fallacious allegation. Nothing could be further from the true state of affairs as it applies in reality to the broadly tranquil relations between Maori and Pakeha. This relationship has been and still is the surprise and envy of the world. Ask the travelled South African? Ask the man from the Middle East? Wfc have never had and never will have that abominable thing known as 'colour bar' in this free country of ours. Those who criticise the Maori honestly recognise that only a bare hundred years separate him from his tribal days; that des pite he worst examples of Pakeha life and the legal injustices which were loaded upon him, he has emerged free 0 proud, anxious to learn, and above all intensely loyal l to the descendent of the sovereign to whom he first swore fealty. There are bound to be dark features of his development. It is the same of any race which endeavours to adjust itself to an entirely new role. There will be striving and bitterness arid debts to be paid. On the other hand who in this town of Whakatane but has not noted the other and more pleasant side of Maori development? It is not difficult to see, and to those who point to the fact that from 47,000 of twenty-five years ago, the Maori race today now numbers close on 100,000, it is a veritable tonic. The great and remarkable feature of Maori development is not his criminal element (which in a large degree owes its source

to renegade pakehas) not this beer-drinking habits, nor yet the streak of indolence which has won such stridant con< demnation. Rather it is the manner in which the new generation is emerging triumphant over all its drawbacks and handicaps—industrious, warm-hearted, loyal, and as citizens worthy in every respect of the name. We see it in the country—Maori farmers who are progressive, taking a pride in their homes and their herds. We see it in the towns —Maori families setting- a standard which reaches higher than some Pakehas; Maori mothers, smartly dressed, with bonny healthy children. These are surely the pioneers of the Maori of the future, and yet we never hear of them in the ordinary course of events. We are. too busy watching the other and more seamy side to which our appetites turn and our 'press' panders. We want to see the criminal side only. We want to see the abuse of pension monies. We don't seem to want to see the progressive Maori element which has arisen from the struggle and achieving successfully to the ways and customs of the Pakeha, will inevitable set the standard and point the way for the Maori race of tomorrow.