Letters: Treaty of Waitangi, the long-term impact of methamphetamine

More research is needed ont he long-term effects of residual contamination, a reader says. Photo/ File.

Equality

In her latest letter addressing the subject of electoral equality, Ms Margaret Murray-Benge relies heavily on article three of the Treaty of Waitangi.

However, she conveniently overlooks the following acts of Parliament entrenching the rights of the Maori people to represent their interests in government at all levels.

The New Zealand Constitution Act of 1852, a full 12 years after the Treaty endorsing those rights and intent of those who signed the Treaty.

Those rights cannot be denied nor can they be ignored in the name of "equality".

Those Maori who affiliate with their culture and political future must have those rights restored and respected, it is what is fair and just and affects no one else.

It is New Zealand's legacy and one to be proud of.

The agenda of groups such as Hobson's Pledge are based on a poor understanding of the founding principles of this nation.

Only those Maori have the right to decide on their political representation.

Robin Bell
Omanawa

Treaty

Mr Dey (Letters, September 26), again you are astray with your perception of history, in my view.

History is a factual portrayal of what happened at a particular time and not a contemporary exercise in wishful thinking.

Firstly, there was no promise in the Treaty document of protection of the language because in 1840 Maori was the Lingua Franca and there was no concept of it ever being under threat.

Secondly, in 1819 when the first Maori/ English dictionary was published in Cambridge, England, one of the contributors was Ngapuhi chief, Hongi Hika who translated the word "Taonga" as; that which is "Taken by the club," a prize of war," a material substance and not the latter-day reinterpretation as ethereal concepts like language and music

That a legally astute people like the English would accept a meaning as vague as 'a treasure', without parameters being set on its meaning, is grossly illogical. (Abridged)

Bryan Johnson
Omokoroa

Research needed

"Gluckman's Report stated "there is no evidence that third-hand exposure from methamphetamine smoking caused adverse health effects"

But he also said no research had been carried out to verify the outcome of the exposure let alone the long term effects of residual contamination.

Claims were once made that tobacco smoking was good for your health given what we know now is it not responsible and reasonable for those in positions of responsibility to initiate, with urgency!

Proper scientifically based research to determine likely long-term effects?

Inhalation of tobacco smoke has been the cause of many deaths it is not unreasonable to expect parallels from comparable activities. (Abridged)

L Kelvin O'Hara
Te Puke