Post by Kiwi Frontline on Sept 20, 2016 8:44:05 GMT 12
Taranaki Daily News 20/9/16
CASE QUESTIONS
In his ‘‘Opinion’’ (News 29/8/16), Dennis Ngawhare overstates his case and is wrong in several respects. He does not know, apparently, that the first armed rebellion post-1840 was that of Hongi and some Ngapuhi in 1844/5, with loyal Maoris playing a major part in its suppression.
To understand the Taranaki situation it is essential to consider the prolonged and brutal conflict between Taranaki and Waikato tribes in the preceding couple of decades which he seems, conveniently, to have forgotten.
This culminated in colossal slaughter at Pukerangiora, many captives being taken back to Waikato as slaves and others fleeing south.
Much of Taranaki was deserted when the British arrived, Charles Heaphy reporting 30 or 40 at Ngamotu Point, with a couple of families in the bush near Opunake.
Refugees and former slaves returning post-1840, disputed amongst themselves about who owned what, with armed conflict amongst them.
British settlers post-1840 found themselves in a chaotic situation and indeed paid for some land several times over.
In 1860/1 alone, 177 settler farmsteads were destroyed by rebels. The conflicts were intermittent until 1869, not 1881 as Ngawhare claims.
Parihaka was occupied without force when Bryce wisely confronted its self-styled prophets with sufficient force to make it clear that resistance would be futile.
Ngawhare’s claim that ‘‘war spread throughout the country’’ is nonsense. There were no rebellions in the South Island while large parts of the North were not affected by the Waikato and Hau Hau rebellions, albeit the latter had its origins in Taranaki.
He overstates the influence of these conflicts, misnamed ‘‘Land Wars’’ but properly ‘‘tribal rebellions’’, until of course the Clark Government foolishly invited all tribes to bring forth their grievances, largely illfounded or imaginary, which multiplied.
Anzac Day clearly matters increasingly to New Zealanders today. It is properly the occasion on which to honour sacrifices made in all armed conflicts. We have no need for a spuriously named ‘‘Land Wars day’’ as well.
BRUCE MOON
Nelson
The New Zealand Herald 20/9/16
EQUAL JUSTICE
If two people commit the same crime, one Maori, one European, there is currently a very good chance the European will receive much more lenient treatment. This justice imbalance due to race is wrong. The issue is how do we fix it.
If two people commit the same crime they face the same penalty. It follows that any solution to the imbalance is not to lessen any penalty to Maori, but to greatly increase the application of penalty to Europeans.
Under-privilege is no mitigation and should not be offered as such in court, we are always accountable for our choices. Mitigation due to circumstance does occur, but only in extreme situations.
Equally, privilege and wealth is no reason for leniency. We also need much stronger and more transparent penalty for judges who bring down clearly biased sentencing decisions.
Resolving the racial imbalance is simple. The law needs to be applied to Europeans with much greater firmness. In a short time, the statistics will declare that regardless of who they are, to do the crime will result in a firm, unbiased penalty.
G L
Birkenhead.
NZ Herald 20/9/16 (Short & Sweet section)
ON JUSTICE
There is no justice in our court system. Your sentence often reflects your skin colour, how much money the family has, whether you are a famous personality and whether you are a promising sportsperson. . Is this what our fallen soldiers fought for in two world wars?
N H
Warkworth
Hawkes Bay Today 20/9/16 (Text Us section)
■ So-called Maori words like ‘‘moto ka — motor car, pihikete — biscuit and panana — banana’’ are mere transliterations that ‘‘dilute’’ the language of Maori tipuna. I say to you, protect the language in its original form for it is far more precious than you realise
CASE QUESTIONS
In his ‘‘Opinion’’ (News 29/8/16), Dennis Ngawhare overstates his case and is wrong in several respects. He does not know, apparently, that the first armed rebellion post-1840 was that of Hongi and some Ngapuhi in 1844/5, with loyal Maoris playing a major part in its suppression.
To understand the Taranaki situation it is essential to consider the prolonged and brutal conflict between Taranaki and Waikato tribes in the preceding couple of decades which he seems, conveniently, to have forgotten.
This culminated in colossal slaughter at Pukerangiora, many captives being taken back to Waikato as slaves and others fleeing south.
Much of Taranaki was deserted when the British arrived, Charles Heaphy reporting 30 or 40 at Ngamotu Point, with a couple of families in the bush near Opunake.
Refugees and former slaves returning post-1840, disputed amongst themselves about who owned what, with armed conflict amongst them.
British settlers post-1840 found themselves in a chaotic situation and indeed paid for some land several times over.
In 1860/1 alone, 177 settler farmsteads were destroyed by rebels. The conflicts were intermittent until 1869, not 1881 as Ngawhare claims.
Parihaka was occupied without force when Bryce wisely confronted its self-styled prophets with sufficient force to make it clear that resistance would be futile.
Ngawhare’s claim that ‘‘war spread throughout the country’’ is nonsense. There were no rebellions in the South Island while large parts of the North were not affected by the Waikato and Hau Hau rebellions, albeit the latter had its origins in Taranaki.
He overstates the influence of these conflicts, misnamed ‘‘Land Wars’’ but properly ‘‘tribal rebellions’’, until of course the Clark Government foolishly invited all tribes to bring forth their grievances, largely illfounded or imaginary, which multiplied.
Anzac Day clearly matters increasingly to New Zealanders today. It is properly the occasion on which to honour sacrifices made in all armed conflicts. We have no need for a spuriously named ‘‘Land Wars day’’ as well.
BRUCE MOON
Nelson
The New Zealand Herald 20/9/16
EQUAL JUSTICE
If two people commit the same crime, one Maori, one European, there is currently a very good chance the European will receive much more lenient treatment. This justice imbalance due to race is wrong. The issue is how do we fix it.
If two people commit the same crime they face the same penalty. It follows that any solution to the imbalance is not to lessen any penalty to Maori, but to greatly increase the application of penalty to Europeans.
Under-privilege is no mitigation and should not be offered as such in court, we are always accountable for our choices. Mitigation due to circumstance does occur, but only in extreme situations.
Equally, privilege and wealth is no reason for leniency. We also need much stronger and more transparent penalty for judges who bring down clearly biased sentencing decisions.
Resolving the racial imbalance is simple. The law needs to be applied to Europeans with much greater firmness. In a short time, the statistics will declare that regardless of who they are, to do the crime will result in a firm, unbiased penalty.
G L
Birkenhead.
NZ Herald 20/9/16 (Short & Sweet section)
ON JUSTICE
There is no justice in our court system. Your sentence often reflects your skin colour, how much money the family has, whether you are a famous personality and whether you are a promising sportsperson. . Is this what our fallen soldiers fought for in two world wars?
N H
Warkworth
Hawkes Bay Today 20/9/16 (Text Us section)
■ So-called Maori words like ‘‘moto ka — motor car, pihikete — biscuit and panana — banana’’ are mere transliterations that ‘‘dilute’’ the language of Maori tipuna. I say to you, protect the language in its original form for it is far more precious than you realise