J McLean and J Robinson (The Weekend Sun, November 2), in my view, seem to be allowing their resentment against Maori leaders to override their good sense.

They are being legalistic in saying that Tauranga Maori land sold to the Anglican Church Missionary Society in 1838 and 1839 required no agreement from Maori to be resold.

Legally that is quite correct but the Church recognises that the original purchase of the land came with an agreement that the land would be used for Church purposes. When the Church minister, Reverend Brown, dined with British soldiers before the Battle of Gate Pa it was understandable that Maori would stop supporting the Church at that time, and that the land would not be used for Church purposes.

Under the original agreement the land should then have been returned to Maori, even though that was not legally required. J McLean and J Robinson are sticking to the letter of the law. The Church is sticking to the spirit of the law, and good on them. They are building better race relations for us all.
P Dey, Welcome Bay.