“ALL WHITE SUBURB.”

Otaki Mail, 3 January 1923, Page 3

“ALL WHITE SUBURB.”

MAYOR’S PROMPT REPUTATION. A few days ago. the Palmerston North Times went out of its way to publish a paragraph in reference to Otaki that is not only out of joint with the facts but has it misty flavour that would hardly be expected iu a paper that makes the uplift movement its principal stock lit trade. The paragraph in question is as follows: ‘‘Otaki is, pet- . haps, (he only town in New Zealand where it would be difficult to' sav whethor the European, Chinese or Maori * ■predominated. The' Europeans are attracted by ilm genial climate, the Chin- ( ese by the rich soil, and the Maori by both these, and Sv the fact that it was his ancestral hoiue. To escape the environment, many residents are building an attractive ‘‘ah white’’ suburb near the seaside. ’ ’ On referring the paragraph to the Mayor, Mr Brandon said it was entirely misleading. As regards racial predominance. the Europeans number close oa 1100, the Maoris under 300 and the ChiHese under 50. “The Maoris and pakehas,’' said the Mayor, ‘‘are living on -the, best of terms, and the - Maoris are doing a]l they can to assist the pakc-lms in the advancement of the borough. The settlement at the beach ris composed mainly of people from Wellington and other centres who come ' hero to enjoy the benefit of the climate ami the seaside, 'flip latter portion of the statement regarding the ‘all white settlement’ is a travesty of the facts. , Such a thought was never 'in the minds ; of those who conceivod the settlement • ai the beach, and it is an insult to the ,■'citizens of Otaki to make such a state- ' Meet,' 1 7?Yf ’ v t v ' ” is rr''