Post by Kiwi Frontline on Sept 28, 2016 5:37:28 GMT 12
The Press 28/9/16
PARTIAL DEMOCRACY DISTORTED
The Press tells me that of six appointed councillors a third will be from Ngai Tahu. Apart from the fact that it seems totally inappropriate that Ngain Tahu should be singled out to nominate any councillors, the fact they are able to nominate two of the six seems entirely disproportionate.
Why have iwi been given this advantage of representation over the general public? Presumably Ngai Tahu can also offer candidates for the elected positions. So they have the opportunity, like everyone else, to both offer and vote for candidates of their choice. This ‘‘partial return’’ to democracy is being distorted to favour a tiny segment of the population.
Democracy, like freedom, is not lost overnight, but incrementally. Doesn’t anyone care?
L T
Prebbleton
The New Zealand Herald 28/9/16
NO RACIAL BIAS HERE
Wellington rugby player Losi Filipo has been discharged without conviction for an assault charge against four people. This surprising court decision, among other things, brings into question the efficacy of Lizzie Marvelly’s September 17 opinion piece in which she suggests racial bias in the courts’ treatment and sentencing of Nikolas Delegat and Hautahi Kingi. We should stand by for Marvelly’s retraction or cone of silence, the later the most likely outcome.
B E
St Heliers.
PARTIAL DEMOCRACY DISTORTED
The Press tells me that of six appointed councillors a third will be from Ngai Tahu. Apart from the fact that it seems totally inappropriate that Ngain Tahu should be singled out to nominate any councillors, the fact they are able to nominate two of the six seems entirely disproportionate.
Why have iwi been given this advantage of representation over the general public? Presumably Ngai Tahu can also offer candidates for the elected positions. So they have the opportunity, like everyone else, to both offer and vote for candidates of their choice. This ‘‘partial return’’ to democracy is being distorted to favour a tiny segment of the population.
Democracy, like freedom, is not lost overnight, but incrementally. Doesn’t anyone care?
L T
Prebbleton
The New Zealand Herald 28/9/16
NO RACIAL BIAS HERE
Wellington rugby player Losi Filipo has been discharged without conviction for an assault charge against four people. This surprising court decision, among other things, brings into question the efficacy of Lizzie Marvelly’s September 17 opinion piece in which she suggests racial bias in the courts’ treatment and sentencing of Nikolas Delegat and Hautahi Kingi. We should stand by for Marvelly’s retraction or cone of silence, the later the most likely outcome.
B E
St Heliers.