R.S.A. President's Attitude To Colour Bar

Chronicle (Levin), 6 September 1948, Page 5

R.S.A. President's Attitude To Colour Bar

Press AssociatUm) . -

WELLINGTON, Sept. 6. The Maoris throughout New Zealanci were deeply grateful to Major-General Sir Howard. Kip- , penberger for his attitude regard-c. ing the exclusion of Maoris from \ the All Blacks for . Sduth • Africa; said Mr. W. R. Bennett, of Wanga- . nui, at a representative gathering of West Cpast tribes, held yesterday at Aorangi, riear Feilding-. * "Because of his intimate association with the Maori Battalion," Mr. Bennett added, "no mari is better qualified .to speak than General Kippenberger." * • It was decided that Rev. Manu Bennett, as convener of the Aorangi meeting, should send a letter of appreciation to General Kippenberger. / Sir Apirana Ngata, after referring to the serious international implications of raising the colour issue, remarked that..it was significant that the politicians had hitherto left the rugby' union's decision severely alone. Personaily, he could not. understand the union because he said members of the Maori Battalion, when calling at South Africa, had enjoyed precisely tlie sarne hospitality . as other New Zealand troops and there had never been any suggestion of colour discrimination. He suggested that when the New Zealand. team visited South Africa, its members Should make inquiries and ascer- % tain the true position. *