RACE RELATIONS IN N.Z.

New Zealand Listener, Volume 32, Issue 819, 7 April 1955, Page 5

RACE RELATIONS IN N.Z.

Sir-Mr, J. E. Ritchie prefaces his cfiticism of Dr. Winmiata’s broadcast by asserting that "there are not enough contemporary field reports to justify a theory of symbiosis." He then goes on dogmatically to assert the opposite view, which presumably the admittedly scanty evidence from community studies is adequate to support. But this is not the only kind of relevant evidence. The concentration of most of the Maori population in certain rural areas and the low rate of inter-marriage are hard demographic facts which indicate that there will be a distinct Maori section of the population in New Zealand for many years to come, What kind of organisation and value system ‘is likely to characterise this group? The answer will be provided primarily by the Maori people, who have shown their desire to retain @ measure of identity, for éxample, in their reaction to Maori representation at the Coronation and the Royal visit to Ngaruawahia. Such visible manifestations of Maoritanga, like the steam escaping from a safety valve, are merely outward signs of tremendous pressure within. In such circumstances it is unwise to sit on the safety valve. If the Maori is made to feel that his legitimate cultural aspirations are constantly being frustrated, it may do much to undermine the generally good relations between the two peoples which exist and have existed in peace and war, But the issue is not merely one of expediency, of guarding against the possibility of a resentful and disorganised brown minority in New Zealand. Dr. Winiata is right when he suggests that "for purposes of full social and psychological satisfactions the Maori group offers (and, in fact, gives) far more than the pakeha side." Dr. Winiata is better qualified to speak on this point than Mr. Ritchie, who has the presumption to tell Dr. Winiata (who has himself achieved distinction by Pakeha standards) how he can best help his people to do the same. Actually this and other comments by Mr. Ritchie are reflections of the ethnocentric assumption that the 20th Century European way of life provides a full and ideal range of satisfactions for human beings, and that the only hope for people with non-European values and attitudes is to approximate to it in all respects. Actually, preserva‘tion of the social and psychological satisfactions mentioned by Dr, Winiata is not at all inconsistent with adaptation to modern conditions. The institutions and forms of organisation through which these satisfactions are provided have changed and will continue to change. But the central core of values remains much the same and will increasingly stimulate the Maori to achieve improved statusby being a good Maori and not by imitating the Pai The constructive task for both peoples is to discern how this téndency can best be fostered in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding.

RALPH PIDDINGTON

Department of Anthropology, Auckland University College.