Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jan 15, 2021 2:54:36 GMT 12
Northern Advocate 15/1/21
FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE OF DEMOCRACY
Given Kevin Grose (Advocate 13th Jan) believes there is majority support for Maori wards then he should be encouraging people to sign the Democracy Northland petition that would force the local councils to hold a binding referendum. That way everyone would have a chance to express a view, and the matter would be resolved.
If the public want separate seats on councils for Maori, then so be it - but where our politicians change the way they are elected to suit themselves then it's a fundamental issue of democracy, and more so when not one of our elected representatives said they were in favour of Maori wards during last year's election campaign. The petition right is embedded in the Local Electoral Act a safeguard for this very purpose and to say voters should not enforce their right to demand a binding poll is not acceptable in a fair minded democracy.
RAEWYN MESSHAM, Whangarei
www.kiwifrontline.nz/media/letters-to-the-editor
FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE OF DEMOCRACY
Given Kevin Grose (Advocate 13th Jan) believes there is majority support for Maori wards then he should be encouraging people to sign the Democracy Northland petition that would force the local councils to hold a binding referendum. That way everyone would have a chance to express a view, and the matter would be resolved.
If the public want separate seats on councils for Maori, then so be it - but where our politicians change the way they are elected to suit themselves then it's a fundamental issue of democracy, and more so when not one of our elected representatives said they were in favour of Maori wards during last year's election campaign. The petition right is embedded in the Local Electoral Act a safeguard for this very purpose and to say voters should not enforce their right to demand a binding poll is not acceptable in a fair minded democracy.
RAEWYN MESSHAM, Whangarei
www.kiwifrontline.nz/media/letters-to-the-editor