Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jan 1, 2017 7:31:18 GMT 12
Dear Editor (Sent to the Rotorua Daily Post 27/12/16)
DEMEANING DEMOCRACY
John Pake (16 December) sees fit to take a pot shot at Dr.Reynold Mcpherson and hence Rotorua Democracy Group for daring to suggest they want the restoration to true democracy.
Now that's cute, isn't it particularly as Mr Pake then proceeds to illustrate his view of elasticity by lauding the Te Arawa/Rotorua Lakes District Council deal as demonstrating real democracy. Well the only reason for this dodgy deal was that when it became obvious to Council hierarchy it could not get racially based Maori Ward seats approved without facing a citizens referendum that would probably reject this try on by 80% (representing democratic voting) the pro-Maori Ward clan then surreptiously worked their way around what they saw as 'the public nuisance' and came up with the Arawa stratagem to avoid what they regarded as the irrelevant majority. Subsequently 2839 Arawa uri (descendants) being only 25% of eligible voters elected 14 tribal representatives!!!!
So that then is the background to Mr Pake’s shining example of democracy at work. Well he is living in fantasyland if he supports that scam and it reflects very poorly on his ability to recognise the real problem which is race based preferences.
R P
Matapihi
Dear Editor, (Sent to the Bay of Plenty Times 20/12/16)
I note in recent weeks that the Motiti Island residents have applied to the High Court to claim customary rights over the fishing area around the island. As the Astrolabe Reef is included in the claim, and the group making the claim have signed up with the owners and insurers of the Rena, there appears to be a monetary motivation behind the claim with a potentially substantial payout in the near future.
Now I see that a Maketu tribe have made an application under the Marine and Coastal Area for customary rights and marine title for an area around Maketu.
The sea is massive, surely there is enough space for all to fish without having special areas set aside for tribal activities? What will happen to the ordinary fisherman who also feeds his family from the sea?
Will there be a card-carrying tribal Pooh-bah patrolling the beaches to say "Sorry mate - you cannot fish here - it all belongs to me!"
It is sad that we cannot all simply all live as one people and all of us enjoy the benefits of living in a paradise surrounded by seas filled with abundant fishing for all!
R B
Tauranga
DEMEANING DEMOCRACY
John Pake (16 December) sees fit to take a pot shot at Dr.Reynold Mcpherson and hence Rotorua Democracy Group for daring to suggest they want the restoration to true democracy.
Now that's cute, isn't it particularly as Mr Pake then proceeds to illustrate his view of elasticity by lauding the Te Arawa/Rotorua Lakes District Council deal as demonstrating real democracy. Well the only reason for this dodgy deal was that when it became obvious to Council hierarchy it could not get racially based Maori Ward seats approved without facing a citizens referendum that would probably reject this try on by 80% (representing democratic voting) the pro-Maori Ward clan then surreptiously worked their way around what they saw as 'the public nuisance' and came up with the Arawa stratagem to avoid what they regarded as the irrelevant majority. Subsequently 2839 Arawa uri (descendants) being only 25% of eligible voters elected 14 tribal representatives!!!!
So that then is the background to Mr Pake’s shining example of democracy at work. Well he is living in fantasyland if he supports that scam and it reflects very poorly on his ability to recognise the real problem which is race based preferences.
R P
Matapihi
Dear Editor, (Sent to the Bay of Plenty Times 20/12/16)
I note in recent weeks that the Motiti Island residents have applied to the High Court to claim customary rights over the fishing area around the island. As the Astrolabe Reef is included in the claim, and the group making the claim have signed up with the owners and insurers of the Rena, there appears to be a monetary motivation behind the claim with a potentially substantial payout in the near future.
Now I see that a Maketu tribe have made an application under the Marine and Coastal Area for customary rights and marine title for an area around Maketu.
The sea is massive, surely there is enough space for all to fish without having special areas set aside for tribal activities? What will happen to the ordinary fisherman who also feeds his family from the sea?
Will there be a card-carrying tribal Pooh-bah patrolling the beaches to say "Sorry mate - you cannot fish here - it all belongs to me!"
It is sad that we cannot all simply all live as one people and all of us enjoy the benefits of living in a paradise surrounded by seas filled with abundant fishing for all!
R B
Tauranga