EXCLUSION OF MAORIS FROM ALL BLACKS

Grey River Argus, 4 September 1948, Page 2

EXCLUSION OF MAORIS FROM ALL BLACKS

Objection Finds Further Sapport WELLINGTON; Sept. 3. A statement praising the Dominion president of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association, MajorGeriei’al Sir Howard Kipenberger for his personal opinions against racial discrimination in connection with the exclusion of Maoris from the AU Blacks for South Africa was issued to-day by the national office of the New Zealand Waterside Workers Union. , , .. The union also released replies from ' the New Zealand Home Servicemen's Association, the. Second. N.Z.E.F. Association and the Air Force Association, which were among those organisations invited by the union to join in the protest against the excluding action of the New Zealand Rugby Union. “General Kippenberger -has expressed the opinions of all democratic citizens," the union stated, “and there are bound to be some pale faces along at the New Zealand Rugby Union. It is high time that a clear statement was given to -.how whether the discrimination against the Maoris originated in Soifth Africa or with the New Zealand Rugby Union. The All Blacks are. certain to contain a very large proportion of former servicemen. Former servicemen in all walks of life will be proud of their president for Sir Howard has shown that where a principle is at stake New Zealanders will act as New Zealanders, for the New Zealanders.’” . ~ x c . The Dominion president of the Second N.Z.E.F. Association, Mr Kenneth H. Melvin, replied to the union that the question, had been raised with the Rugby Union. On the authority of a leading official of that organisation, it could be said that New Zealand was obliged to make the tour of South Africa to enable the South African Rugby Board to recoup its expenditure in touring New Zealand in 1937. It would be a breach of faith at this juncture to decline the tour for any reason. HELPLESS POSITION

Mr Melvin said the New Zealand Rugby Union agreed entirely with the viewpoint against discrimination but it was helpless to dictate any conditions to South Africa. The Springboks did not object to Maori footballers: the colour bar was something which existed in South Africa itself and not in the football world. It could not be altered by refusing the tour. All agreed that % discrimination against the Maoris was deplorable, but it was impossible to correct the South African colour bar ty intervening in the Rugby Union’s commitments. The Air Force Association has replied to the union that the question was considered by the executiv/*, which resolved that the organisation did not recognise racial discrimination in its own membership or activities, but it was of the opinion that the subject material in the union invitation was beyond the scope of the association’s interests. The Home Servicemen’s Association had advised the union that the subject' will be considered by its executive. PAKEHAS OUT TOO! “Nobody knows whether Adam and Eve were black, white, or brindle,” added the union statement. “If the Rugby Union goes ahead with the tour and bars the Maoris, it may be that at least some of the pakehas chosen will, because of their democratic convictions, decline selection. Mr R. Childs, secretary of the Wellington branch of. the second N.Z.E.F. Association, said that members of the organisation throughout New Zealand would emphatically support Mr Tirikatene in his contention that the touring side must not be termed an All Black team if the Maoris were deliberately excluded. He described the decision of the Rugby Union as “lamentable and throughly obnoxious.” “My branch feels that the South African Rugby Board should be firmly told that in New Zealand the Maori and pakeha are indivisible,” said Mr Childs. “The question is one going far beyond the field of sport.”

QUESTION OF RACIALISM

WELLINGTON, Sept 3 Mr Rollard O’Regan, of Wellington, writing on the All Black colour bar question stated: “Racialism is a poisonous thing. Just how wicked and roul it is can be gauged from its results. In our time it has caused in Europe outrages and horrors unparaiieiea in history. Even any semblance of it should be avoided in New Zealand where for 100 years the relations of brown man and white man have been a cause of pride to ourselves and admiration from others. No representative rugby team can be truly called a New Zealand team which expressly excludes either Maori or pakeha, and this fact should be demonstrated in some outward and visible way. The solution is to send an allEuropean team and let it be known as such by some distinctive mark. I 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. Tbe 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 fellowcountrymen. It will show that we pakehas do not quietly acquiesce in racial discrimination. It will show to the Maori, to South Africa, and to.the world that we don’t want racialism here ”

Nofc Discussed By Labour Federation P.A. WELLINGTON, Sept 3. It was reported this afternoon that the New Zealand Federation of Labour has not yet considered the question of the exclusion of Maoris from the All Blacks for South Africa. South African View CAPETOWN, Sept 2. The president of the South African Rugby Board, Mr A. J. Pienaar, commenting on the New Zealand reaction to the exclusion of Maoris from the All Blacks to tour South Africa said: — “The excitement is due tn the people in the pavilion and on the ropes, Rugby football is still a game and the players’ interests and views are all that count. We are satisfied in South Africa that those interests are in safe arid competent hands in New Zealand.”