“MAORI REPUTATION WILL NOT SUFFER”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 205, 18 November 1927, Page 13

“MAORI REPUTATION WILL NOT SUFFER”

AUSTRALIAN’S REMARKS APPRECIATION OF THE SUN’S ATTITUDE Keen appreciation of the attitude expressed by THE SUN in a subleader in regard to the remarks of Mr. J. A. Thompson, a former member of the West Australian Legislative Council, was voiced at last evening’s meeting of the Te Akarana Maori Association. THE SUN was complimented on the fair-minded manner in which it approached Maori affairs, and the space it devoted to them. On his return to Sydney Mr. Thompson had expressed his strong disapproval of present day relations existing between Maoris and Pakehas. The modern Maori, he declared, was being spoilt and pampered, and was so arrogant that, like the South African negro, he refused to move on the pavement when Europeans approached, and even attempted to push them off. The association resolved that it would not make any public protest/ as its cause had been “so ably championed” by THE SUN. It was felt that the reputation of the Maori people would not suffer after such advocacy. The secretary, Mr. Patrick Smyth, was instructed to forward a letter to THE SUN expressing the association's appreciation and thanks. It was pointed put that the newspaper these days is an important factor in Maori life, and: that THE SUN was widely read in native homesteads throughout the Auckland province.