Post by Kiwi Frontline on Apr 2, 2019 10:17:13 GMT 12
Northland Age 2/4/19
HE AWI' TAHI TATOU?
I was wondering, when our Prime Minister proclaims "We are one people," is she meaning the way immigrants and refugees, such as Muslims, assimilate into New Zealand society, accepting our traditions and values?
Or is she referring to the relationship of part-Maori and non-Maori?
If she's meaning that New Zealand's part-Maori and non-Maori are one people, why did Donald Brash get "de-platformed" at Massey University for saying and, in fact, preaching that?
LEO LEITCH, Benneydale
FAIR AND REASONABLE
To any reasonable people with a bit of natural pride in themselves, their way of life and their origins, asserting that their way is the best way is exactly what one would expect. Where those people are a large majority in their own country, of course that becomes the dominant culture, and by and large, all residents are expected to observe its norms.
At the same time, where there are minorities of any sort — of culture, religion, colour, political persuasion— all reasonable people will tolerate and accept them, as long as they do not attempt to impose their ways on anybody or attempt to upset the equilibrium of society.
A fine example in New Zealand since Hobson assured Bishop Pompallier at Waitangi is our religious tolerance — the persecution of Jews and the brutal conflicts of Catholic/Protestant or Christian/Muslim have been absent from ow shores. Of course, on rare occasiors when a religious group has chosen to defy social norms and the law of the land, vigorous steps have been necessary to deal with it.
The nasty cults of Parihaka and Rua Kenana, who stated his seditious position in the middle of a major war, are among the few examples. And in those cases, the authorities' response was fair and moderate.
So now, in the aftermath of the appalling tragedy in Christchurch, it surely comes as a considerable shock to find ourselves berated by prominent figures, of whom Person of the Year Anne Salmond would be one, telling us that we are "white supremacists" who belittle others with of ridicule, suppression and contempt. And many others are using distorted accounts of our recent colonial past to use this situation to advance their political position and bid for more power.
Confronted with such challenges, it is time, I suggest, for all New Zealanders of good faith to assert their belief in themselves and their values of fairness, truth and democracy on which our fine country was founded.
BRUCE MOON Nelson
WITH PRIVILEGE
As an 88-year-old pensioner of the group frequently vilified by some ethnic and pseudo-liberal groups as male, pale and stale, the only 'white privilege' that I have experienced in a working life engaged in naval service, teaching, an abundance of other jabs and raising five children, has been to be dully employed the whole time and so able to provide the taxes needed to support those less fortunate.
BRYAN JOHNSON, Omokoroa
Waikato Times 2/4/19
COUNCILLOR CONDEMNED
Democracy and free speech is alive in Hamilton with one councillor happy to fly in the face of good science, medicine, sound history and sheer common sense. Cr Henry showed poor taste at the weekend when she defiantly wore an "Anti Vaxx" shirt at a time when NZ may be facing a measles epidemic. I suspect few parents in Christchurch would applaud her.
She also opposes fluoridated water supply despite the opinions of almost all doctors and dentists.
I was born and grew up in Hamilton pre fluoride and by the time I was twenty had acquired the usual mouth full of fillings. Since 1967 my wife and I have always lived with fluoridated water and neither of us have had new fillings since about 1975. Our two daughters, in their forties, and four grandchildren are today filling free. Good enough proof for me.
Cr Henry also knows little of history if she equates Gov, Sir George Grey in the same light as Hitler. Five minutes of research would show her that Grey was the best friend Maori ever had. During his first term he was lauded by them and nowhere more so than at Rangiaowhia. He was brought back to serve a second term precisely because of his rapport with Maori.
MURRAY REID, Cambridge
Dominion Post 2/4/19
SLIPPERY SLOPE
It is shocking that Hastings District Council feels able to abandon democracy and appoint totally unelected Ma¯ ori to council committees.
With 25 per cent of Hastings’ population being Maori, there is surely no reason why Maori cannot be elected to the HDC. Already four of the 14 elected members have Ma¯ ori heritage.
It is an insult to the ratepayers of Hastings that the council has made this decision to appoint those who have not stood before the ratepayers to seek their endorsement. This is a very slippery slope for democracy.
The issue will not go away, and will no doubt be remembered when the local body elections take place later in the year.
At the very time the prime minister is stressing the fact that all New Zealanders should have equal rights, and that we should be one people, Hastings District Council votes to give voting rights to some citizens on purely racial grounds.
Time for a change, I think, because this has been a disgraceful example of what not to do in local government.
MARGARET MURRAY-BENGE, Tauranga
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers
HE AWI' TAHI TATOU?
I was wondering, when our Prime Minister proclaims "We are one people," is she meaning the way immigrants and refugees, such as Muslims, assimilate into New Zealand society, accepting our traditions and values?
Or is she referring to the relationship of part-Maori and non-Maori?
If she's meaning that New Zealand's part-Maori and non-Maori are one people, why did Donald Brash get "de-platformed" at Massey University for saying and, in fact, preaching that?
LEO LEITCH, Benneydale
FAIR AND REASONABLE
To any reasonable people with a bit of natural pride in themselves, their way of life and their origins, asserting that their way is the best way is exactly what one would expect. Where those people are a large majority in their own country, of course that becomes the dominant culture, and by and large, all residents are expected to observe its norms.
At the same time, where there are minorities of any sort — of culture, religion, colour, political persuasion— all reasonable people will tolerate and accept them, as long as they do not attempt to impose their ways on anybody or attempt to upset the equilibrium of society.
A fine example in New Zealand since Hobson assured Bishop Pompallier at Waitangi is our religious tolerance — the persecution of Jews and the brutal conflicts of Catholic/Protestant or Christian/Muslim have been absent from ow shores. Of course, on rare occasiors when a religious group has chosen to defy social norms and the law of the land, vigorous steps have been necessary to deal with it.
The nasty cults of Parihaka and Rua Kenana, who stated his seditious position in the middle of a major war, are among the few examples. And in those cases, the authorities' response was fair and moderate.
So now, in the aftermath of the appalling tragedy in Christchurch, it surely comes as a considerable shock to find ourselves berated by prominent figures, of whom Person of the Year Anne Salmond would be one, telling us that we are "white supremacists" who belittle others with of ridicule, suppression and contempt. And many others are using distorted accounts of our recent colonial past to use this situation to advance their political position and bid for more power.
Confronted with such challenges, it is time, I suggest, for all New Zealanders of good faith to assert their belief in themselves and their values of fairness, truth and democracy on which our fine country was founded.
BRUCE MOON Nelson
WITH PRIVILEGE
As an 88-year-old pensioner of the group frequently vilified by some ethnic and pseudo-liberal groups as male, pale and stale, the only 'white privilege' that I have experienced in a working life engaged in naval service, teaching, an abundance of other jabs and raising five children, has been to be dully employed the whole time and so able to provide the taxes needed to support those less fortunate.
BRYAN JOHNSON, Omokoroa
Waikato Times 2/4/19
COUNCILLOR CONDEMNED
Democracy and free speech is alive in Hamilton with one councillor happy to fly in the face of good science, medicine, sound history and sheer common sense. Cr Henry showed poor taste at the weekend when she defiantly wore an "Anti Vaxx" shirt at a time when NZ may be facing a measles epidemic. I suspect few parents in Christchurch would applaud her.
She also opposes fluoridated water supply despite the opinions of almost all doctors and dentists.
I was born and grew up in Hamilton pre fluoride and by the time I was twenty had acquired the usual mouth full of fillings. Since 1967 my wife and I have always lived with fluoridated water and neither of us have had new fillings since about 1975. Our two daughters, in their forties, and four grandchildren are today filling free. Good enough proof for me.
Cr Henry also knows little of history if she equates Gov, Sir George Grey in the same light as Hitler. Five minutes of research would show her that Grey was the best friend Maori ever had. During his first term he was lauded by them and nowhere more so than at Rangiaowhia. He was brought back to serve a second term precisely because of his rapport with Maori.
MURRAY REID, Cambridge
Dominion Post 2/4/19
SLIPPERY SLOPE
It is shocking that Hastings District Council feels able to abandon democracy and appoint totally unelected Ma¯ ori to council committees.
With 25 per cent of Hastings’ population being Maori, there is surely no reason why Maori cannot be elected to the HDC. Already four of the 14 elected members have Ma¯ ori heritage.
It is an insult to the ratepayers of Hastings that the council has made this decision to appoint those who have not stood before the ratepayers to seek their endorsement. This is a very slippery slope for democracy.
The issue will not go away, and will no doubt be remembered when the local body elections take place later in the year.
At the very time the prime minister is stressing the fact that all New Zealanders should have equal rights, and that we should be one people, Hastings District Council votes to give voting rights to some citizens on purely racial grounds.
Time for a change, I think, because this has been a disgraceful example of what not to do in local government.
MARGARET MURRAY-BENGE, Tauranga
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers