Post by Kiwi Frontline on Apr 6, 2016 6:45:34 GMT 12
Bay of Plenty Times 6/4/16
TAX RULES UNFAIR
Tommy Wilson's Monday column is usually much appreciated, and his mea culpa of treaty matters earns him my respect. He is interested in democracy, as are most of us.
However, we have the some of the wealthiest businesses in the country, who have legally stashed all their money into c haritable trusts and, undemocratically, pay no income tax at all.
I n 2001 Michael Cullen, proposed that trading operations of charities be taxed. This didn't happen — and since tribal organisations are based on blood ties, they failed the common law public benefit test.
The Labour government intensely lobbied to change the law, enabling them to gain charitable status. It's time we requested that trading operations of charities be taxed – as proposed fifteen years ago by Michael Cullen.
Hopefully, one day, we will be a country where we live as one united people, all appreciative of each other's culture, with no race-based legislation, in a true democracy, where we are all treated the same regarding race, gender and religion.
R B
Tauranga
Northern Advocate 6/4/16
DIVERSE VIEWS
Speculation by Maori leaders on why they believed Maori voted to keep the British Union Jack on our flag, as reported in The Northern Advocate, raises points that must be challenged.
The concept that Maori people have a view that is distinct and homogeneous is too easily accepted. Only 45 per cent of people who claim Maori ancestry on the electoral roll are registered in a Maori electorate. When combined with those who are Maori and do not register this on the electoral roll, the total number of Maori people registered in Maori electorates is a minority.
Most vote on the general roll.
So it is incorrect to consider the voting results of the Te Tai Tokerau electorate as representative of Maori people. In fact, it is not just incorrect but a bit arrogant for Kelvin Davis and Pita Tipene to speculate on the views of Maori people because they have no more of an idea of how Maori people think than anyone can speculate how Europeans or Asians think.
This is because mostly people's views are formed by environmental factors not genetics.
There is no such thing as a Maori view, there are only the views of Maori people, and they are as individual and as diverse as any race. It is patronising and a little insulting to Maori people to think otherwise.
R G
Whangarei
TAX RULES UNFAIR
Tommy Wilson's Monday column is usually much appreciated, and his mea culpa of treaty matters earns him my respect. He is interested in democracy, as are most of us.
However, we have the some of the wealthiest businesses in the country, who have legally stashed all their money into c haritable trusts and, undemocratically, pay no income tax at all.
I n 2001 Michael Cullen, proposed that trading operations of charities be taxed. This didn't happen — and since tribal organisations are based on blood ties, they failed the common law public benefit test.
The Labour government intensely lobbied to change the law, enabling them to gain charitable status. It's time we requested that trading operations of charities be taxed – as proposed fifteen years ago by Michael Cullen.
Hopefully, one day, we will be a country where we live as one united people, all appreciative of each other's culture, with no race-based legislation, in a true democracy, where we are all treated the same regarding race, gender and religion.
R B
Tauranga
Northern Advocate 6/4/16
DIVERSE VIEWS
Speculation by Maori leaders on why they believed Maori voted to keep the British Union Jack on our flag, as reported in The Northern Advocate, raises points that must be challenged.
The concept that Maori people have a view that is distinct and homogeneous is too easily accepted. Only 45 per cent of people who claim Maori ancestry on the electoral roll are registered in a Maori electorate. When combined with those who are Maori and do not register this on the electoral roll, the total number of Maori people registered in Maori electorates is a minority.
Most vote on the general roll.
So it is incorrect to consider the voting results of the Te Tai Tokerau electorate as representative of Maori people. In fact, it is not just incorrect but a bit arrogant for Kelvin Davis and Pita Tipene to speculate on the views of Maori people because they have no more of an idea of how Maori people think than anyone can speculate how Europeans or Asians think.
This is because mostly people's views are formed by environmental factors not genetics.
There is no such thing as a Maori view, there are only the views of Maori people, and they are as individual and as diverse as any race. It is patronising and a little insulting to Maori people to think otherwise.
R G
Whangarei