Editorial: Danger in ignoring extreme views

It hasn't been the best of weeks for race relations. As it comes to a close an iwi is in shock over the jailing of its most prominent figure. As it began a southern man ranted about racial equality while criticising racial priority.

Seven days ago the appearance on the national scene of multimillionaire Invercargill businessman Louis Crimp sparked uproar as he railed against "Maoris" in what was quite rightly described as an extraordinary interview with the Weekend Herald.

Mr Crimp said all the white New Zealanders he'd spoken to didn't like "the Maoris" and the way they were full of "crime and welfare".

Oh how Southland must have cringed as the story took off.

Quite what Mr Crimp hoped to achieve with his outburst isn't clear - but plenty of people, including many media types, have expressed on social media this week their view that giving him a platform gives his views legitimacy.

That's dangerous ground to tread.

The story was important because Mr Crimp donated more than $125,000 to the Act Party for the last election. It was the party's largest financial contribution and helped Act get into Parliament and support the ruling National Party.

The continuing Louis Crimp story is a stunning portrait of some of the power manoeuvres behind the scenes of national politics.

Mr Crimp said he gave money to Act so they could stop "special treatment" for Maori who were "either in jail or on welfare".

Whether Act should have put him straight about their intentions in Government before accepting his money is another day's argument.

You, as readers, need to be given more credit - especially by those in the media who should know better.

The danger is not in highlighting these views. The danger is in people not realising they're out there.