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Salient. Victoria University Students' Newspaper. Volume 39, Issue 10. 24 May 1976

Editorial — A Rhodesia in the South Pacific

page 2

Editorial

A Rhodesia in the South Pacific

Four horse and carriages

New Zealand is probably the most racist country in the world.

South Africa with its institutionalized and legalised racism, and Rhodesia where Ian Smith has repeatedly stated that there will be no Black majority rule in his life-time by comparison come off much better - they have been openly and honestly racist. New Zealanders on the other hand still attempt to perpetuate the lie that this is the perfect multi-racial society, hence the frequent reference to an idyllic God's own.

In recent months this facade has worn thin: more and more people are now openly expressing their racist views. One merely has to listen to the talk-back shows to hear the views of the 'ordinary bloke' about Maoris, about Islanders, about Black Africa, etc.

Unfortunately this is not restricted to the ordinary bloke. A candidate in the general election advocated for NZ a policy of separate devlopment, South Africa's euphemism for apartheid. He is now an MP.

Recently we heard the Minister of Immigration say during a TV interview that the White Rhodesian racists are "our cousins". There is a strong bond of racist solidarity between a section of New Zealanders and the White Racists in Southern Africa. That is why so many New Zealanders recognise the injustice and inhumanity of the apartheid system yet identify with white racism in Southern Africa.

On the other hand white racists who fled the Pakistani peril in Britain and the natural disaster of Black rule in Africa have found in New Zealand a natural habitat in which they have blended most favourably, so much so that a White Rhodesian expatriate could say to his wife (who after having served all the pakehas first before serving a Maori woman) "See that you don't give these Natives credit".

The students at Victoria University do not fare much better: evidence of that is the graffiti on the walls of the men's loo's, or the slogans on the desks in the lecture rooms. In Hunter 319 for example, on one desk a carved slogan reads: "Open Immigration for Pacific Islanders to South Africa."

Coupled with the racism is the intolerance shown towards others with opposing views or who are campaigning against racism. Hence Hart. Care, Acord etc, are "communists" or "stirrers". One suspects that the reason why such organisations have attracted such antagonism and hostility is because they have caused more people to examine our New Zealand backyard and what they have seen is not very good.

Henry Isaacs,

South African Students' Organisation.

Next Thursday is Hat Day and all Mad Hatters are Required to wear a hat on the 27th - Support Student Apathy.