In response to G Allan's letter (Weekend Sun May 27), I agree with one statement made about Te Tiriti of Waitangi not being a partnership.
The treaty was not upheld as a partnership between Maori and the Crown and it was not necessary for Maori protection against each other. Instead Maori were assimilated into a Western way of life with Western values, beliefs, and customs forced upon them.
This writer claims that Maori had disagreements between themselves and needed the British to deal with them. However, Maori had their own way of working out specific disagreements (e.g. Hui) they did not require or invite another culture to bring their customs they believed superior to Tikanga Maori.
This is yet another statement that encourages and supports assimilation with the Western view believing that their customs, beliefs, and values should be adopted and adhered by all. As Maori believe themselves to be guardians of the land it is a Western perception that land must be occupied or used in a certain manner.
Leaving it as a natural resource is a natural response even though this is generally not understood by some individuals such as G. Allan who calls this 'unkempt”. The letter published by the writer illustrates that not only racism but also shows that within some individuals ethnocentrism is still alive within our society.
Gloria McIsaac, Ohauiti.