Anti-Racism Coalition
News story, April 6, 2004

Meeting forms coalition

A public meeting in Whangarei last week, decided to form an anti-racism coalition. The forum, attended by about 80 people, was entitled "A Pakeha Response to Dr Brash", and was organised by the Northland Urban Rural Mission, to provide facts in the ethnicity debate.

Speaker Pat Snedden, an Auckland businessman and Health Board member, emphasised the need to bring both facts and morality to the debate. He talked about health statistics, where Maori have shorter lifespans than Tauiwi, therefore receiving less superannuation.

Tangata whenua have twice the number of heart attacks as Tauiwi, but receive only half the number of heart operations.

Mr Snedden says we treat the aged differently, when they are provided with pensions; we treat families differently, with tax rebates - we are always trying to even out, an uneven playing field.

A meeting to set up an anti-racism working group will be held on April 14, at 5pm, at the Anglican Hall in the Regent. Further details from Tim Howard on 430 7464.

ENDS

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