Post by Kiwi Frontline on Nov 24, 2016 6:18:07 GMT 12
The Wellingtonian 24/11/16
NZ WARS
Your November 10 article, ‘‘Lest we forget the New Zealand wars’’, is more than a little fanciful. Perhaps a few facts might help.
When Waikato Maori belonging to the King movement were fighting against the government in 1860-1863, against the wishes of their first leader, Te Wherowhero, Governor Grey sent a warning that ‘‘those who wage war against Her Majesty, or remain in arms, threatening the lives of Her peaceable subjects, must take the consequences of their acts, and they must understand that they will forfeit the right to the possession of their lands guaranteed to them by the Treaty of Waitangi.’’
Rebellious actions continued, and after they were defeated land was indeed confiscated. This was neither ‘‘indefensible’’ nor ‘‘abandonment of the Treaty of Waitangi’’, but commonly accepted under international law, indeed in keeping with the Treaty and Maori lore.
A Parliamentary investigation soon resulted in the return of close to one-half the land, and more was to follow. On many occasions – in 1878, in 1882 and in 1888 – Government representatives went to meet with the second leader, Tawhiao, to offer the return of further confiscated land that had not then been sold. All these offers were turned down as Tawhiao refused to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen. That was the real breaking of the Treaty.
JOHN ROBINSON
Wellington
Northland Age 24/11/16
WHAT DEMOCRACY?
Now that some of the power of the controllers of international finances, banking, governments and a biased media has been diminished or possibly threatened by the results of American presidential elections John Key may consider reviewing his political aims. He may wish to rescind ethnic favouritism of Maori at the behest of his parliamentary partners.
Favouritism evidenced in many aspects of our national life such as education, resources, political representation and private consultations. Perhaps he may start to listen to and act for the other 85 per cent of the population. When a great majority of the country firmly rejected unelected positions on councils and regional authorities they were officially ignored. The activities of the Waitangi Tribunal and the millions of dollars in Treaty settlements made by Chris Finlayson go unchallenged. The government intends to include the iwi clauses in the RMA reform, giving co-governance to a small elitist coterie of part-Maori. What kind of democracy is that?
The unfortunate premise is that, traditionally, when the next government elections come around no other political party will have the courage or social conscience to mention or challenge these undemocratic anomalies. I have on three occasions written a personal letter to each MP, had 10 per cent acknowledgement from secretaries but no comment from the member and no actions taken. Is this how Members regard their constituents? And so the imbalance will continue.
B J
Omokoroa
NZ WARS
Your November 10 article, ‘‘Lest we forget the New Zealand wars’’, is more than a little fanciful. Perhaps a few facts might help.
When Waikato Maori belonging to the King movement were fighting against the government in 1860-1863, against the wishes of their first leader, Te Wherowhero, Governor Grey sent a warning that ‘‘those who wage war against Her Majesty, or remain in arms, threatening the lives of Her peaceable subjects, must take the consequences of their acts, and they must understand that they will forfeit the right to the possession of their lands guaranteed to them by the Treaty of Waitangi.’’
Rebellious actions continued, and after they were defeated land was indeed confiscated. This was neither ‘‘indefensible’’ nor ‘‘abandonment of the Treaty of Waitangi’’, but commonly accepted under international law, indeed in keeping with the Treaty and Maori lore.
A Parliamentary investigation soon resulted in the return of close to one-half the land, and more was to follow. On many occasions – in 1878, in 1882 and in 1888 – Government representatives went to meet with the second leader, Tawhiao, to offer the return of further confiscated land that had not then been sold. All these offers were turned down as Tawhiao refused to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen. That was the real breaking of the Treaty.
JOHN ROBINSON
Wellington
Northland Age 24/11/16
WHAT DEMOCRACY?
Now that some of the power of the controllers of international finances, banking, governments and a biased media has been diminished or possibly threatened by the results of American presidential elections John Key may consider reviewing his political aims. He may wish to rescind ethnic favouritism of Maori at the behest of his parliamentary partners.
Favouritism evidenced in many aspects of our national life such as education, resources, political representation and private consultations. Perhaps he may start to listen to and act for the other 85 per cent of the population. When a great majority of the country firmly rejected unelected positions on councils and regional authorities they were officially ignored. The activities of the Waitangi Tribunal and the millions of dollars in Treaty settlements made by Chris Finlayson go unchallenged. The government intends to include the iwi clauses in the RMA reform, giving co-governance to a small elitist coterie of part-Maori. What kind of democracy is that?
The unfortunate premise is that, traditionally, when the next government elections come around no other political party will have the courage or social conscience to mention or challenge these undemocratic anomalies. I have on three occasions written a personal letter to each MP, had 10 per cent acknowledgement from secretaries but no comment from the member and no actions taken. Is this how Members regard their constituents? And so the imbalance will continue.
B J
Omokoroa