"I am not a Pakeha," thundered Libertarianz deputy leader Richard McGrath. "I am a human being!"

Paraphrasing the well-known outburst from so-called 'Elephant Man' John Merrick, McGrath insisted that the Prime Minister and others stop fanning the flames of racial hatred in this country by pandering to tribalists.

"It's time to call a halt to this nonsense about bringing Maori and Pakeha together. Let people act as individuals, guided by their own minds - and not bossed around by sundry tribal leaders," McGrath added.

"The question arises just why our politicians should want to raise the issue of racial distinction every year on Waitangi Day. Racism is the most primitive form of collectivism. I resent being pigeonholed as a Pakeha by hatemongers such as Tame Iti, Mike Smith, Derek Fox and Helen Clark. And I don't want to be brought together with anyone except on my terms."

McGrath echoed the sentiments of party spokesmen Russell Watkins and Lindsay Perigo, calling for the Treaty of Waitangi to be preserved as an historical document only. He said a new constitution should be drawn up, protective of individual rights and with the current clauses that allow for apartheid removed. Libertarianz has its own proposed constitution available online at: http://www.freeradical.co.nz/content/constitution/index.html

ENDS

Richard McGrath * Libertarianz Deputy Leader Fax 06 377 3070 * mcgrath@no-income-tax.com Or contact the Libertarianz Media Coordinator (025) 861 927 http://www.libertarianz.org.nz http://www.freeradical.co.nz

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