Maoris in politics

"The Maori," the Prime Minister said recently, 'enjoyed full social and political equality in New Zealand."

Politicians at his level clearly wish to emphasise the solidarity and the unity of the two peoples, equally clearly NZBC commentators have striven in this recentlypublished series to probe deeper.

The commentators, men with a claim to speak with authority on some aspects of Maori affairs, have concentrated their analysis on the historical aspects of Maori politics. They have, so to, speak, started from the back and worked forward. This is a profitable approach which can uncover current issues.

This approach has not ensured that all current political issues have emerged, but it certainly has led to an emphasis misleading for the casual reader.

Consider some of the issues or "would be issues" in Maori politics today. Land ownership and sale, social relations and potential inter-racial tension, representation in parliament, race and sport, the administration of Maori affairs, the use of the Maori as a tourist device, Maori education, the support of the Maori voter for the Labour Party, New Zealand Maoricook island Maori relationships, urbanisation, the integration of traditional Maori political forms with contemporary political institutions and customs, religion and politics and voting habits.

As far as this book fails to pinpoint all issues in Maori politics it is deficient. Its emphasis on the history of land politics makes it more valuable for the historian than the behavioural scientist and the commentator on the 'contemporary scene.

"The Maori In New Zealand Politics," from a series of NZBC lectures edited by J. G. Pocock. Pauls; 18/ . Reviewed by Antony Haas.

Professor Pocock notes that the series is a more accurate detailing of the events of an historical period. He also happens to see in the history, facts lilted into the categories he had been accustomed to using when considering "the politics of the reaction of the nonwestern peoples to the experience of Western domination and incorporation into states organised upon the Western model.

"New Zealand history, which so often appears isolated and provincial now took its place in the mainstream of modern world history." And towards the end of his masterly introduction Pocock says "the problems of the urbane phase of Maori history are nowhere touched in this volume . . ."

Some of the other questions not asked, and certainly not answered, cover important fields. For example, why has Maori land reform been so long in coming; why did the Maori MPs not anticipate the recent Pritchard report by a few decades?

A survey of the role of the Maori MPs and their relationship to the Ministry of Maori Affairs would have been ol value. Something more than the sweeping statement of Pocock's was called for the assertion "Ratana members have not been much more than the useful but undistinguished Maori wing of the parliamentary Labour Party."

The Maori as a diplomaticasset in New Zealand foreign policy merited discussion, at least along the lines followed in Richard Thompson's 1963 NCC survey of "Race Relations in New Zealand."

The quality of government services is probably a more meaningful symbol of politics to the Maori, the rate of social and political integration certainly depends on them. But this series pays no attention to the merits and demerits of performance and structure. makes no reference to any possible need for a rationalisation of government administration along the general theme of Polaschek in 'Government Administration in New Zealand."

Ritchie is a man whose, likely influence on Maori affairs is sizeable in view of his present position as professor of the new Waikato University, where the university and the community have come closely together His article was the most pertinent in assisting and understanding current evente, with its discussion of the apparently invalid concept of Maori Nationalism, and the "communications gap" between "erass roots" and higher levels of internal Maori politics.

A broadcast series, the title should have been "The History of Maori Politics." more so. of course, the content should have been on the present. The mass media have a key role in promoting discussion on such issues of civic concern, and should thus straighten out their priorities when choosing topics.

As a book, it is an expensive 18 -. but a useful addition to the literature. It also happens to be published four years after the lectures were delivered.