Post by Kiwi Frontline on Dec 10, 2018 5:00:12 GMT 12
Otago Daily Times 10/12/18
QUESTIONING THE NEED FOR MAORI SEATS IN FUTURE
THE deadline for submissions on the Electoral (Entrenchment of Maori Seats) Amendment Bill is December 14.
The Maori Representation Act of 1867 provided for the election of four Maori MPs by Maori males aged 21 and over because a requirement to own land to the value of £25 disqualified most Maori men from voting. When New Zealand introduced universal suffrage in 1893, the need for special Maori representation in government disappeared.
The 2017 election brought to Parliament 29 MPs with Maori ancestry, 22 of whom came in on the general roll. This demonstrates that those with Maori ancestry are perfectly capable of being elected without the need for the Maori seats.
Maori MPs now constitute over 18% of all members of Parliament from a race that makes up only 15% of the population, so if anything they are currently overrepresented in Parliament.
The Government has no duty to guarantee superior political rights to anyone who claims to be indigenous. No justification to retain Maori seats remains.
MARK MUNRO. Port Chalmers
The Northern Advocate 10/12/18
COASTLINE CLAIM WON’T ENSURE HARMONY
I believe that most thinking New Zealanders support the compensation, through Waitangi Tribunal processes to Ma¯ori, for wrongs against them by early Governments.
These cost millions of dollars annually, which could be well spent on health and education, but so be it.
However, the claim for ownership of the whole coastline and out to the 12 nautical mile limit is preposterous. It requires 85 per cent of New Zealanders to surrender their rights to enjoy our coast and beaches, so much a part of our lives as Kiwis, to just some of us. Ownership to some?
When is Maori leadership going to lead the way to including all of us as countrymen. To work for harmony. Hostility and animosity from one group just breeds antagonism in all others.
This Marine and Coastal Area Act should be repealed and public ownership returned. This is a challenge to your readers to act now.
ROBIN LIEFFERING, Whangarei
The Press 10/12/18
SANTA COLUMN
Along with other well-meaning individuals, Verity Johnson’s column (Dec 8) completely ignores the fact that Santa is an international, much-loved children’s icon and when they rock up to a Santa parade, that’s who they want to see.
I was at the parade with my grand-daughter who, along with other children, asked where Santa was.
There is certainly room for the Maori rendition as part of the parade, but don’t try and apply adult perceptions to children’s expectations.
MIKE GIBNEY, Nelson
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers
QUESTIONING THE NEED FOR MAORI SEATS IN FUTURE
THE deadline for submissions on the Electoral (Entrenchment of Maori Seats) Amendment Bill is December 14.
The Maori Representation Act of 1867 provided for the election of four Maori MPs by Maori males aged 21 and over because a requirement to own land to the value of £25 disqualified most Maori men from voting. When New Zealand introduced universal suffrage in 1893, the need for special Maori representation in government disappeared.
The 2017 election brought to Parliament 29 MPs with Maori ancestry, 22 of whom came in on the general roll. This demonstrates that those with Maori ancestry are perfectly capable of being elected without the need for the Maori seats.
Maori MPs now constitute over 18% of all members of Parliament from a race that makes up only 15% of the population, so if anything they are currently overrepresented in Parliament.
The Government has no duty to guarantee superior political rights to anyone who claims to be indigenous. No justification to retain Maori seats remains.
MARK MUNRO. Port Chalmers
The Northern Advocate 10/12/18
COASTLINE CLAIM WON’T ENSURE HARMONY
I believe that most thinking New Zealanders support the compensation, through Waitangi Tribunal processes to Ma¯ori, for wrongs against them by early Governments.
These cost millions of dollars annually, which could be well spent on health and education, but so be it.
However, the claim for ownership of the whole coastline and out to the 12 nautical mile limit is preposterous. It requires 85 per cent of New Zealanders to surrender their rights to enjoy our coast and beaches, so much a part of our lives as Kiwis, to just some of us. Ownership to some?
When is Maori leadership going to lead the way to including all of us as countrymen. To work for harmony. Hostility and animosity from one group just breeds antagonism in all others.
This Marine and Coastal Area Act should be repealed and public ownership returned. This is a challenge to your readers to act now.
ROBIN LIEFFERING, Whangarei
The Press 10/12/18
SANTA COLUMN
Along with other well-meaning individuals, Verity Johnson’s column (Dec 8) completely ignores the fact that Santa is an international, much-loved children’s icon and when they rock up to a Santa parade, that’s who they want to see.
I was at the parade with my grand-daughter who, along with other children, asked where Santa was.
There is certainly room for the Maori rendition as part of the parade, but don’t try and apply adult perceptions to children’s expectations.
MIKE GIBNEY, Nelson
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers