Rejection of Half-Castes.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 326, 29 January 1902, Page 3

Rejection of Half-Castes.

v.To the Editor of the Times.) Sin, —There was an old song, “ No Irish need apply,” and it would appear now to apply to the half-castes of New Zealand, who are objected to by the selectors of efficient men. Surely it is stupid for the finest pecimens of tho human race, discovered in the cross between the early pioneers of British descent and the New Zealanders, to he rejected. Instances of the “ cross ” taking their part in athletic sports—Manning, to wit, and our present Native Minister, together with many others who could be quoted, show that their progenitors who visited a somewhat doubtful island, or clusters of islands, in "long days gone by, must have had that real grit which should characterise the 1 nation they had left, and equally so the primitive one they had invaded. The natives fought and outwitted many of our noted strategists, and at the conclusion of the trial at arms were, though subjugated, virtually conquerors. Now, this is the question I would ask : Why should not a descendant of tho formidable Briton and the invincible Maori, with intermixed blood, be allowed to take part in his nation’s troubles ? A young fellow named Kelly was sent back bocause ho was a half-caste, after disposing of all his possessions as well as forfeiting his billet, only to bo told that being v ha.f-caste he was not eligible.—l am, etc., Karaka.