Exclusion Of Maoris From All Blacks

Chronicle (Levin), 4 September 1948, Page 4

Exclusion Of Maoris From All Blacks

"ROLLAND'

O'REGAN.

(To the Editor) Sir, — I . think those who have expressed concern at the exciusion of any person of Maori blood from the rugby team to visit South Africa next year deserve the unreserved support of all sections of the community. Racialism is a poisonous thing, Just how wicked and foul it is can be gauged from its results. In our time it has caused in Europe outrages and horrofs unparalleled in history. Even any semblance of it should be avoided in New Zealand, where for 100 years the relations of brown and white man have been a cause of pride to ourselves and adniiration from others. No representative rugby team can be tr'uly called a New Zealand team which expressly excludes either Maori or European, and this fact should be demonstrated in some outward and visible' way. The solution of the difficult position which has arisen is not to, refuse to send any team at all to South Africa, or to insist on the inclusion of any Maori player whose merits entitle him to selection, or to send an all-European team to South Africa as a representative New Zealand team. -The solutiOn is to send an " allEuropean team and let it be known as such as by some distinctive mark. J would suggest that members of the team wear an all black jersey. with a black fern on „a white monogram, instead of the silver fern, which should be reserved for a true all New Zealand team. The same jersey could be worn by a Maori All Black team for the same reason. This solution will prevent this tour being a source of deep and bitter resentment to our Maori fellow countrymen. ^ It will show that . we Europeans do not quietly acquiesce in racial discrimination. It will show to the Maorh"to South Africa and to the world that we don't want racialism here. Yours etc..

Wellington, Sept. 1.