Post by Kiwi Frontline on May 23, 2016 6:33:26 GMT 12
Wairarapa Times-Age 23/5/16
NO VOTING RIGHTS FOR ADVISERS
As voting citizens, tax and ratepayers of New Zealand, we vote our politicians into power to (hopefully) run our country fairly and justly — as we do our councillors for our councils.
Nelson Rangi may well be a clever and intelligent person (as are most of our leaders, politicians and councillors) but unfortunately, a large percentage of these people lack good, common sense.
Whether unelected peoples have, in the past, been appointed on to councils with full voting rights is not the issue. That does not make it right. That is not democracy.
They most certainly can be there in an advisory capacity but definitely with no voting rights and no ratepayers’ money. I believe we live in one of the best countries in the world, but it would be so much better, and though I feel we have, at the present, the best government for the job, led by John Key, I would only rate him four out of 10.
The Masterton council, for their needless waste of their ratepayers’ money gets a three. Nelson Rangi with his racist views, does not even warrant a one.
G B
Greytown
NO FREE RIDE
I would like to congratulate Jim Rimene’s article in Monday’s paper on how he feels about Maori having a free ride into local politics. I knew Jim, I used to work with him back in the day, and he was and still is an honest and straight- talking man. He described his entry into local government as something he was proud of because he got there by being elected by the people, not being ushered in the back door on a free ride.
The other Maori who have served on councils that Jim mentioned all got there by being elected on their merits — they were elected for who they are not what they are.
Unfortunately, young radical Maori of today don’t take any notice of the old kaumatuas, they just want to be confrontational and use the treaty as a weapon in the hope everyone will think it’s all true. I think there are a couple of radicals hidden away somewhere writing the next episode of the treaty pending on what they want.
Make no mistake, if the Government or future ones don’t close the books on the Treaty it’s going to drag on for decades and the bad feeling between European and Maori will drag on with it.
It’s time young Maori realise you have to work for what you get regardless of what propaganda you’re fed. Take notice of Jim Rimene and others who have been there and done that because they did it on their own merit, and have gained great respect for their achievements.
I have nothing against anybody of any race being in local politics as long as they are democratically elected, not given a free ride because the councillors think they’ll be accused of being racist if they don’t allow free entry. That’s why the coming local body elections will hopefully separate the wheat from the chaff, ie, sweep out those who are there for their own enhancement not for the people as a whole.
D G
Masterton
Wanganui Chronicle 23/5/16
CENSORSHIP
Since D Partner's recommendation (letters, May 11) that we read the book One Nation, One People, there have been several disparaging letters from readers belittling the information contained within its pages and the qualifications of its authors.
Having never read the book, I cannot comment on its worth, except to note that there appears to be a growing trend to smother any contrary opinion to the correct and accepted position on cultural issues. I personally have been told by three separate publishers that they are reluctant to publish anything that could be perceived as being culturally controversial, so I can understand why authors who feel passionately about something have no option but to self-publish — an activity that has largely outgrown its "vanity publishing" tag and resulted in some outstanding literature.
And being a "not recognised" historian is not necessarily a disadvantage. In fact, it can work in one's favour as writers are free from any contractual obligations, public expectation or publisher's approval to see their work in print.
One reader believes that having the book available in libraries is a matter of real concern. Why? Is there a fear that readers will become corrupted by such information? Surely, after considering all opinions, we should be free to make up our own minds. The right of free speech is fiercely defended in matters of morality and religion, but censorship appears to be quite acceptable when it comes to cultural issues.
M C
Wanganui
NO VOTING RIGHTS FOR ADVISERS
As voting citizens, tax and ratepayers of New Zealand, we vote our politicians into power to (hopefully) run our country fairly and justly — as we do our councillors for our councils.
Nelson Rangi may well be a clever and intelligent person (as are most of our leaders, politicians and councillors) but unfortunately, a large percentage of these people lack good, common sense.
Whether unelected peoples have, in the past, been appointed on to councils with full voting rights is not the issue. That does not make it right. That is not democracy.
They most certainly can be there in an advisory capacity but definitely with no voting rights and no ratepayers’ money. I believe we live in one of the best countries in the world, but it would be so much better, and though I feel we have, at the present, the best government for the job, led by John Key, I would only rate him four out of 10.
The Masterton council, for their needless waste of their ratepayers’ money gets a three. Nelson Rangi with his racist views, does not even warrant a one.
G B
Greytown
NO FREE RIDE
I would like to congratulate Jim Rimene’s article in Monday’s paper on how he feels about Maori having a free ride into local politics. I knew Jim, I used to work with him back in the day, and he was and still is an honest and straight- talking man. He described his entry into local government as something he was proud of because he got there by being elected by the people, not being ushered in the back door on a free ride.
The other Maori who have served on councils that Jim mentioned all got there by being elected on their merits — they were elected for who they are not what they are.
Unfortunately, young radical Maori of today don’t take any notice of the old kaumatuas, they just want to be confrontational and use the treaty as a weapon in the hope everyone will think it’s all true. I think there are a couple of radicals hidden away somewhere writing the next episode of the treaty pending on what they want.
Make no mistake, if the Government or future ones don’t close the books on the Treaty it’s going to drag on for decades and the bad feeling between European and Maori will drag on with it.
It’s time young Maori realise you have to work for what you get regardless of what propaganda you’re fed. Take notice of Jim Rimene and others who have been there and done that because they did it on their own merit, and have gained great respect for their achievements.
I have nothing against anybody of any race being in local politics as long as they are democratically elected, not given a free ride because the councillors think they’ll be accused of being racist if they don’t allow free entry. That’s why the coming local body elections will hopefully separate the wheat from the chaff, ie, sweep out those who are there for their own enhancement not for the people as a whole.
D G
Masterton
Wanganui Chronicle 23/5/16
CENSORSHIP
Since D Partner's recommendation (letters, May 11) that we read the book One Nation, One People, there have been several disparaging letters from readers belittling the information contained within its pages and the qualifications of its authors.
Having never read the book, I cannot comment on its worth, except to note that there appears to be a growing trend to smother any contrary opinion to the correct and accepted position on cultural issues. I personally have been told by three separate publishers that they are reluctant to publish anything that could be perceived as being culturally controversial, so I can understand why authors who feel passionately about something have no option but to self-publish — an activity that has largely outgrown its "vanity publishing" tag and resulted in some outstanding literature.
And being a "not recognised" historian is not necessarily a disadvantage. In fact, it can work in one's favour as writers are free from any contractual obligations, public expectation or publisher's approval to see their work in print.
One reader believes that having the book available in libraries is a matter of real concern. Why? Is there a fear that readers will become corrupted by such information? Surely, after considering all opinions, we should be free to make up our own minds. The right of free speech is fiercely defended in matters of morality and religion, but censorship appears to be quite acceptable when it comes to cultural issues.
M C
Wanganui