Lockwood Smith's comments about seasonal workers have been branded 'utterly racist' by Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia. Photo / Supplied
Lockwood Smith's comments about seasonal workers have been branded 'utterly racist' by Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia. Photo / Supplied
KEY POINTS:
The fall-out from Lockwood Smith's race remarks have been reported in the UK and Australian news.
Dr Smith's comments on Asian and Pacific Island workers were printed in the Marlborough Express yesterday.
Dr Smith told the paper that employers are having to teach some Pacific Islanders "things likehow to use a toilet or shower".
Dr Smith went on to say Asian workers are better at picking fruit "because their hands are smaller".
The Daily Telegraph in the UK picked up on the story, saying Lockwood Smith had "put his foot in his mouth".
The paper reported National Party leader John Key was quick to "rebuke his immigration spokesman".
"The controversy has come as an unwelcome distraction for Mr Key, who has put National comfortably ahead of Labour in the opinion polls," reports the Telegraph.
The story has also been reported in Australian newspapers, where The Melbourne Herald Sun ran the headline: "Racist comments land New Zealand MP Lockwood Smith in trouble".
Dr Smith's were also reported on ABC radio and in The Australian newspaper.
