Post by Kiwi Frontline on Dec 8, 2020 13:59:13 GMT 12
Northland Age 8/12/20
THE PARTNERSHIP LIE
Tony Clemow (Northern Advocate 7th Nov), and others who clamour for separatist race-based wards, repeats the Crown/Maori ‘partnership’ lie. There is/was no ‘partnership’ as ‘It is constitutionally impossible for the Crown to enter into a partnership with any of it's subjects’. Article 3 of the Treaty gave Maori “royal protection” (from other nations, the French in particular, and from their fellow marauding tribes) and all the Rights and Privileges of British Subjects (under sovereignty of the Queen).
There is no mention of partnership or power sharing. That has become a convenient social and political construct.
Tony, further misleads when he implies that those of Maori descent “are missing from the table” or cannot have their voice heard.
That is plainly untrue, in central government we have over 20% Maori MPs elected in Parliament while the Maori population is 16.5%.
In the Far North the number of councillors with iwi affiliation is greater than the proportion of the Maori community.
The new MP (of Maori descent) for Northland is a strong advocate for Maori but was elected in a general seat.
The WDC already has a Maori committee that has 8 members appointed by Maori with full voting rights.
The views of Maori are well expressed at all levels of decision making and those of Maori descent who stand to represent everyone, not just the interests of Maori, have as good a chance as anyone of getting elected.
It is the ‘diversity in our community’ that he speaks of that is the ultimate reason that we should not have undemocratic race-based wards, and why all voices should be respected and democratically heard.
GEOFF PARKER, Kamo
ALL OPINIONS MATTER
You know what I hate most about those who say the contentious issue of race-based seats on local councils should not be put to a vote. They think my opinion doesn't matter. Guess what. It does matter. My opinion matters - noless and no more than anyone else's opinion.
To deny others the right to have a say in a democracy is arrogant and very dangerous.
What's worse, our very own Northland Regional councillors, have not only voted against the public having a say, they have written to the Local Government Minister asking that she take away our right to demand a poll.
It seems our elected councillors trusted us to be wise when they were elected last year, but they don't trust us when they know the public challenges their decision about Maori constituencies.
I encourage everyone who is equally as disgusted as I am about this to sign the petition calling for a referendum on race-based seats. That way everyone can have a say and councillors will be reminded who they work for.
RAEWYN MESSHAM, Whangarei
THE WORST
It was Winston Churchill who said. "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others."
While democracy has its failings, it is the best way to arrive at the least unpopular solution.
That's why divisive issues like race-based seats on local councils should be put to a popular vote.
A vote gives voice to those who would otherwise remain silent and returns power to the people.
Its the essence of democracy.
FRANK NEWMAN, Whangarei
www.kiwifrontline.nz/media/letters-to-the-editor
THE PARTNERSHIP LIE
Tony Clemow (Northern Advocate 7th Nov), and others who clamour for separatist race-based wards, repeats the Crown/Maori ‘partnership’ lie. There is/was no ‘partnership’ as ‘It is constitutionally impossible for the Crown to enter into a partnership with any of it's subjects’. Article 3 of the Treaty gave Maori “royal protection” (from other nations, the French in particular, and from their fellow marauding tribes) and all the Rights and Privileges of British Subjects (under sovereignty of the Queen).
There is no mention of partnership or power sharing. That has become a convenient social and political construct.
Tony, further misleads when he implies that those of Maori descent “are missing from the table” or cannot have their voice heard.
That is plainly untrue, in central government we have over 20% Maori MPs elected in Parliament while the Maori population is 16.5%.
In the Far North the number of councillors with iwi affiliation is greater than the proportion of the Maori community.
The new MP (of Maori descent) for Northland is a strong advocate for Maori but was elected in a general seat.
The WDC already has a Maori committee that has 8 members appointed by Maori with full voting rights.
The views of Maori are well expressed at all levels of decision making and those of Maori descent who stand to represent everyone, not just the interests of Maori, have as good a chance as anyone of getting elected.
It is the ‘diversity in our community’ that he speaks of that is the ultimate reason that we should not have undemocratic race-based wards, and why all voices should be respected and democratically heard.
GEOFF PARKER, Kamo
ALL OPINIONS MATTER
You know what I hate most about those who say the contentious issue of race-based seats on local councils should not be put to a vote. They think my opinion doesn't matter. Guess what. It does matter. My opinion matters - noless and no more than anyone else's opinion.
To deny others the right to have a say in a democracy is arrogant and very dangerous.
What's worse, our very own Northland Regional councillors, have not only voted against the public having a say, they have written to the Local Government Minister asking that she take away our right to demand a poll.
It seems our elected councillors trusted us to be wise when they were elected last year, but they don't trust us when they know the public challenges their decision about Maori constituencies.
I encourage everyone who is equally as disgusted as I am about this to sign the petition calling for a referendum on race-based seats. That way everyone can have a say and councillors will be reminded who they work for.
RAEWYN MESSHAM, Whangarei
THE WORST
It was Winston Churchill who said. "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others."
While democracy has its failings, it is the best way to arrive at the least unpopular solution.
That's why divisive issues like race-based seats on local councils should be put to a popular vote.
A vote gives voice to those who would otherwise remain silent and returns power to the people.
Its the essence of democracy.
FRANK NEWMAN, Whangarei
www.kiwifrontline.nz/media/letters-to-the-editor