Post by Kiwi Frontline on Mar 28, 2019 6:13:38 GMT 12
The Press 28/3/19
DISTINCTION
It seems journalists/ commentators need to be educated about the difference between culture and race.
Racism is the idea that one race is inherently superior to another, or maybe it is someone who I don't like or with whom I disagree.
Culture is a series of ideas and customs. Culture transcends race and vice versa. There are black and white Christians and Muslims.
Is challenging ideas racism? Is it "hate speech?" A lot of commentators seem to think so.
No; they are just not capable of discussing ideas they find disagreeable.
No one has the right NOT to be offended. Be very careful before any move to ban debate of ideas, under the guise of stamping out racism, is advocated, as it leads inevitably to tyranny.
PAUL GRAINGER, St Albans
Hawkes Bay Today 28/3/19
TREATY OF WAITANGI ONLY WRITTEN IN MAORI
Your World Watch correspondent Gwynne Dyer (Monday, March 25) is incorrect when he states that the Treaty of Waitangi was written in both languages (Maori and English).
In fact the Treaty of Waitangi was only ever written in the Maori language. Governor Hobson was adamant that the Treaty document in Maori signed at Waitangi on February 6 was the defacto Treaty document.
He subsequently gave specific instructions that all Treaty negotiations would be undertaken in the Maori language using a copy of that Maori language Treaty document.
And that is in fact what happened (including at the Manukau and Port Waikato Treaty signings).
All of the so-called English versions of the Treaty are derived from documents purported to be the draft documents crafted by Busby, Freeman, Hobson and others to generate the final English draft of the Treaty handed to Henry Williams on February 4 to translate into the Maori language . . . or they are translations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the Maori language written by various authors subsequent to the signing of the Treaty. There is no English version of the Treaty of Waitangi.
KERRY HOGAN, Napier
BOLD STATEMENT
“The arrival of white colonists was a disaster for the Maori.” That is a very bold statement, and it was made by Gwynne Dyer, a Canadian international affairs commentator. But his claim is more than bold. It is also simplistic, unhelpful, and wildly exaggerated.
Maori life expectancy has been steadily rising and in the period 2007-17 it grew at twice the rate of non-Maori in Auckland. The “colonists” surely played a part in that. Roads, motor vehicles, electricity and clothing also proved more than useful. (abridged)
MARK TAYLOR, Havelock North
Northland Age 28/3/19
CAN’T WE ALL GET ON?
Today’s Northland Age (March 26) is notable for the contribution of its correspondents.
They are justified in taking Anahera Herbert-Graves to task. I cannot understand why her often erroneous, militant, racist column is permitted to be published.
I suppose free speech is our right, but surely she goes too far. We are all essential to each other to progress our country, so can we please live and work together, as we always have? Let’s face it, there are no purebreds among any of us of whatever colour. The collective word is mongrels, so grin and bear it.
I commend your correspondents Ray Paterson, Leo Leitch, Bruce Moon and Bryan Johnson for their balanced, truthful articles. Long may they continue. If our politicians had to read them they might acquire some common sense, but that is probably a forlorn hope.
DON JACKSON, RD3 Kaitaia
IT'S NOT WORKING
After watching the TV news over the last few days I had the idea that New Zealand was all peace and overwhelming love. I was wrong. On Friday, after a night of dubbing in Whangarei, a couple of blond 20-year-old lads were going back to their car. A differently-hued chap across the road began yelling and taunting then, then crossed the mad and punched one in the face. That lad is now in hospital with a broken jaw. Shall I tell Jacinda her peace and love campaign between all colours and races does not work?
SYLVIA RD4 Kaitaia
ONE INDIVIDUAL
When reflecting on the number of Christians who are regularly attacked, and whose churches are bombed or burned in Egypt, Indonesia and Pakistan, Muslim nations, and the magnificent nationwide outpouring of grief and support for the victims of the Christchurch atrocities, I am appalled and disgusted when persons of national standing, like Dame Anne Salmond and Dame Susan Devoy, claim that we are a racist nation and imply that we must all bear responsibility for the actions of one psychopathic individual.
BRYAN JOHNSON Omokoroa
THINKING READERS
The Northland Age sure has many thinking readers. Some with invented let's-be-nice history, and others who have studied accurately recorded history, which had its reformers, and ruling cruel, selfish, greedy, Godless people in control in societies everywhere.
Conditions in some societies haven't improved much in the modern Science Age. Obviously the reading and study of factual human history, progress and failures most students have at the end of their schooling is very incomplete and slanted.
Looking back to recent wars and political crises we read about in recent times, we now know was propaganda to cover the mistakes of mighty nations. Read how the Irish and Scottish were treated, and the conditions of the poor workers in Britain during the Industrial Revolution. A period of Maori joy when tribal warfare finished Then the greedy ones of society took over and money for tribal land went into very few pockets.
Every society has them. With Christian beliefs and a Scottish Name, but with some Jewish blood, there is no need to tell me about sick, uninformed racial intolerance here in Aotearoa, my family's loved home for 180 years.
I'm a New Zealander, and so are law-abiding newly arrived Muslims and peaceful citizens of every race and belief, as in the sight of God all are equal, and we will take nothing with us when we depart
SAM McHARG Kerikeri
RUBBISH
Re article in NZ Herald, January 22, Andrew Little leading a delegation to the United Nations.
He said the Treaty had been breached, leaving Maori strangers in their own land; the impact of colonisation continue to be felt today through entrenched structural racism, poorer outcomes for Maori. What a load of rubbish.
Andrew Little is a guy who failed as a leader of the party, also was unable to win a seat to get into Parliament so he came through the back door. ilejust doesn't know anything about the true history of our country.
The people called Maori never owned the land, they took it off peaceful tribes who were here before them, like the Kapupungapunga, Patupaiarere, Ngati Hotu/Celts, Waitaha, Turehu and Moriori etc., which makes Maori not indigenous to New Zealand. it is the descendants of some of these people who are the strangers in this land, not Maori.
IAN BROUGHAM, Wanganui
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers
DISTINCTION
It seems journalists/ commentators need to be educated about the difference between culture and race.
Racism is the idea that one race is inherently superior to another, or maybe it is someone who I don't like or with whom I disagree.
Culture is a series of ideas and customs. Culture transcends race and vice versa. There are black and white Christians and Muslims.
Is challenging ideas racism? Is it "hate speech?" A lot of commentators seem to think so.
No; they are just not capable of discussing ideas they find disagreeable.
No one has the right NOT to be offended. Be very careful before any move to ban debate of ideas, under the guise of stamping out racism, is advocated, as it leads inevitably to tyranny.
PAUL GRAINGER, St Albans
Hawkes Bay Today 28/3/19
TREATY OF WAITANGI ONLY WRITTEN IN MAORI
Your World Watch correspondent Gwynne Dyer (Monday, March 25) is incorrect when he states that the Treaty of Waitangi was written in both languages (Maori and English).
In fact the Treaty of Waitangi was only ever written in the Maori language. Governor Hobson was adamant that the Treaty document in Maori signed at Waitangi on February 6 was the defacto Treaty document.
He subsequently gave specific instructions that all Treaty negotiations would be undertaken in the Maori language using a copy of that Maori language Treaty document.
And that is in fact what happened (including at the Manukau and Port Waikato Treaty signings).
All of the so-called English versions of the Treaty are derived from documents purported to be the draft documents crafted by Busby, Freeman, Hobson and others to generate the final English draft of the Treaty handed to Henry Williams on February 4 to translate into the Maori language . . . or they are translations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the Maori language written by various authors subsequent to the signing of the Treaty. There is no English version of the Treaty of Waitangi.
KERRY HOGAN, Napier
BOLD STATEMENT
“The arrival of white colonists was a disaster for the Maori.” That is a very bold statement, and it was made by Gwynne Dyer, a Canadian international affairs commentator. But his claim is more than bold. It is also simplistic, unhelpful, and wildly exaggerated.
Maori life expectancy has been steadily rising and in the period 2007-17 it grew at twice the rate of non-Maori in Auckland. The “colonists” surely played a part in that. Roads, motor vehicles, electricity and clothing also proved more than useful. (abridged)
MARK TAYLOR, Havelock North
Northland Age 28/3/19
CAN’T WE ALL GET ON?
Today’s Northland Age (March 26) is notable for the contribution of its correspondents.
They are justified in taking Anahera Herbert-Graves to task. I cannot understand why her often erroneous, militant, racist column is permitted to be published.
I suppose free speech is our right, but surely she goes too far. We are all essential to each other to progress our country, so can we please live and work together, as we always have? Let’s face it, there are no purebreds among any of us of whatever colour. The collective word is mongrels, so grin and bear it.
I commend your correspondents Ray Paterson, Leo Leitch, Bruce Moon and Bryan Johnson for their balanced, truthful articles. Long may they continue. If our politicians had to read them they might acquire some common sense, but that is probably a forlorn hope.
DON JACKSON, RD3 Kaitaia
IT'S NOT WORKING
After watching the TV news over the last few days I had the idea that New Zealand was all peace and overwhelming love. I was wrong. On Friday, after a night of dubbing in Whangarei, a couple of blond 20-year-old lads were going back to their car. A differently-hued chap across the road began yelling and taunting then, then crossed the mad and punched one in the face. That lad is now in hospital with a broken jaw. Shall I tell Jacinda her peace and love campaign between all colours and races does not work?
SYLVIA RD4 Kaitaia
ONE INDIVIDUAL
When reflecting on the number of Christians who are regularly attacked, and whose churches are bombed or burned in Egypt, Indonesia and Pakistan, Muslim nations, and the magnificent nationwide outpouring of grief and support for the victims of the Christchurch atrocities, I am appalled and disgusted when persons of national standing, like Dame Anne Salmond and Dame Susan Devoy, claim that we are a racist nation and imply that we must all bear responsibility for the actions of one psychopathic individual.
BRYAN JOHNSON Omokoroa
THINKING READERS
The Northland Age sure has many thinking readers. Some with invented let's-be-nice history, and others who have studied accurately recorded history, which had its reformers, and ruling cruel, selfish, greedy, Godless people in control in societies everywhere.
Conditions in some societies haven't improved much in the modern Science Age. Obviously the reading and study of factual human history, progress and failures most students have at the end of their schooling is very incomplete and slanted.
Looking back to recent wars and political crises we read about in recent times, we now know was propaganda to cover the mistakes of mighty nations. Read how the Irish and Scottish were treated, and the conditions of the poor workers in Britain during the Industrial Revolution. A period of Maori joy when tribal warfare finished Then the greedy ones of society took over and money for tribal land went into very few pockets.
Every society has them. With Christian beliefs and a Scottish Name, but with some Jewish blood, there is no need to tell me about sick, uninformed racial intolerance here in Aotearoa, my family's loved home for 180 years.
I'm a New Zealander, and so are law-abiding newly arrived Muslims and peaceful citizens of every race and belief, as in the sight of God all are equal, and we will take nothing with us when we depart
SAM McHARG Kerikeri
RUBBISH
Re article in NZ Herald, January 22, Andrew Little leading a delegation to the United Nations.
He said the Treaty had been breached, leaving Maori strangers in their own land; the impact of colonisation continue to be felt today through entrenched structural racism, poorer outcomes for Maori. What a load of rubbish.
Andrew Little is a guy who failed as a leader of the party, also was unable to win a seat to get into Parliament so he came through the back door. ilejust doesn't know anything about the true history of our country.
The people called Maori never owned the land, they took it off peaceful tribes who were here before them, like the Kapupungapunga, Patupaiarere, Ngati Hotu/Celts, Waitaha, Turehu and Moriori etc., which makes Maori not indigenous to New Zealand. it is the descendants of some of these people who are the strangers in this land, not Maori.
IAN BROUGHAM, Wanganui
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers