Post by Kiwi Frontline on Dec 23, 2017 5:18:01 GMT 12
Dear Editor, (Sent to the Bay of Plenty Times 11/12/17
MAORI SUICIDE RATES
The Treaty of Waitangi industry has found a new way to perpetuate itself.
They are now hearing claims that colonialism is responsible for the high incidence of suicide within the Maori community. Apparently the incidence is about 50% higher than the rate amongst the rest of the community.
As far as I am aware Colonialism ended in 1906 when NZ became a self ruling Dominion.
I find it difficult to believe that 110 years later colonialism can be having a growing effect on any part or group of society. I understand that in 1974 (43 years ago) suicide rates amongst Maori were actually low than those for the rest of the Community. Since 1974 Maori suicide rates have almost trebled.
Something has surely changed, but to blame colonialism is simplistic. Maybe we should ask, has there been a change in the way we measure the number of Maori as a proportion of our total population. Yes there has, today a Maori is someone descended from a Maori and the way that is calculated from census returns is statistical fraud.
In my opinion our appalling suicide rates reflect the massive changes in New Zealand society, especially over the last 40 years. Poverty is a terrible trap and feeling helpless contributes to many of the ills in today’s society.
Blaming something that may have happened 110 years ago is not part of the solution.
MURRAY REID, Tuakau
The Editor (Sent to the Otago Daily Times 6/12/17)
WHAT’S GOOD FOR GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER
The vitriolic attacks on Dave Witherow for telling it how it is and for expounding a few home truths reek of self interest and racism.
Fortunately many of us can pick the rorters, quislings, PCbrigaders, gravy-trainers, idiot magnets spinners and other stuffwits a mile away. Those that will not accept concrete facts instead preferring to promote untruthful rewritten history choose to be apologists treatyists and revisionists and frankly this is anti-Kiwi behaviour and has no place in New Zealand. A request go find another country to destroy with your PC vitriolic abusive aspersions if this is the best you can come up with.
“Freedom of speech’ has always been the cornerstone of our New Zealand society and opinions should be broadcast as of right – the media have an obligation as the Fourth Estate to facilitate and uphold this right.
ROB PATERSON, Tauranga
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers/unpublished-letters
MAORI SUICIDE RATES
The Treaty of Waitangi industry has found a new way to perpetuate itself.
They are now hearing claims that colonialism is responsible for the high incidence of suicide within the Maori community. Apparently the incidence is about 50% higher than the rate amongst the rest of the community.
As far as I am aware Colonialism ended in 1906 when NZ became a self ruling Dominion.
I find it difficult to believe that 110 years later colonialism can be having a growing effect on any part or group of society. I understand that in 1974 (43 years ago) suicide rates amongst Maori were actually low than those for the rest of the Community. Since 1974 Maori suicide rates have almost trebled.
Something has surely changed, but to blame colonialism is simplistic. Maybe we should ask, has there been a change in the way we measure the number of Maori as a proportion of our total population. Yes there has, today a Maori is someone descended from a Maori and the way that is calculated from census returns is statistical fraud.
In my opinion our appalling suicide rates reflect the massive changes in New Zealand society, especially over the last 40 years. Poverty is a terrible trap and feeling helpless contributes to many of the ills in today’s society.
Blaming something that may have happened 110 years ago is not part of the solution.
MURRAY REID, Tuakau
The Editor (Sent to the Otago Daily Times 6/12/17)
WHAT’S GOOD FOR GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER
The vitriolic attacks on Dave Witherow for telling it how it is and for expounding a few home truths reek of self interest and racism.
Fortunately many of us can pick the rorters, quislings, PCbrigaders, gravy-trainers, idiot magnets spinners and other stuffwits a mile away. Those that will not accept concrete facts instead preferring to promote untruthful rewritten history choose to be apologists treatyists and revisionists and frankly this is anti-Kiwi behaviour and has no place in New Zealand. A request go find another country to destroy with your PC vitriolic abusive aspersions if this is the best you can come up with.
“Freedom of speech’ has always been the cornerstone of our New Zealand society and opinions should be broadcast as of right – the media have an obligation as the Fourth Estate to facilitate and uphold this right.
ROB PATERSON, Tauranga
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers/unpublished-letters