National insults Pacific workers
22 October 2008
Does National think Pacific workers need training to use showers and toilets? Yes or no? Does national think Maori
people, who also often have large hands, are unproductive with detail work? Yes or no?
Labour MP, Su’a William Sio is calling for answers after National’s Immigration Spokesperson Lockwood Smith complained
that "Pacific Islanders needed training in the use of toilets and showers". Smith also said the Asian workers have been
more productive...because their hands are smaller."
"How can this man say such things and still expect to become a senior minister in a National-led Government?"
"He is willing to promote some sort of crazy idea that pacific people are unwashed savages -- it is utterly shocking"
"I can’t believe that someone who is wanting to be Minister of Immigration can be so uncaring in their comments about
people invited by the New Zealand Government and New Zealand businesses to come and work in our orchards and farms.’
"If these comments reflect what he thinks of Pacific and Asians people, how will he treat Maori if the Maori Party go
into coalition with National? More to the point, does the Maori Party support what he says?"
Ends.