Wednesday Write In: Maori split rough justice

Maori split rough justice

I agree with Lindsay Gordon Paku (HB Today 15/8/11) that the struggle many Maori and Pakeha families are currently having, to make ends meet, is more important to Maori than seabed and foreshore ownership. But I disagree with his view of recent history.

His claim the courts found "Maori owned the foreshore and seabed" is a total fabrication. It is of course what Tariana Turia and Peter Sharples were saying, when they jetted around the motu stirring up the people to vote against Labour and form a new "Maori" party. But they renounced this fabrication as soon as they had the chance, in favour of a cosy deal to support the National Party, in return for which most Maori will receive precisely nothing.

What the Court of Appeal actually found is that the Maori Land Court had jurisdiction to consider ownership claims. They did not make a finding on ownership. Instead they made it clear that, in their opinion, any Maori claims would be very difficult to establish, and could only apply to defined areas of coastline. And of course, any court findings could still be appealed by the Crown, right up to the Supreme Court, if they so decided.

Mr Paku asks why there hasn't been any changes since the most recent legislation was passed. The answer is, the process is now a political one, and the Attorney-General has no intention of doing anything more to stir people up on this issue, before the election.

The problem that Turia and Sharples currently face is their previous statements about Maori ownership are now being used against them, by Hone Harawira and his supporters, who are accusing the Maori Party of selling out in the same way they previously accused Labour's Maori MPs of selling out. It has split the Maori Party down the middle. I find this richly amusing and one could even say it amounts to rough justice.

Bill Sutton, Napier

Teach Christianity

I read that the Lord's prayer may possibly not be said at the start of the Wanganui council meetings or even Parliament. I believe the way the finance and morals of this country are going we need the Sovereign God and his wisdom more than ever.

Look at the full prisons and white collar crime and the way they have made other people suffer.

School students need to be taught about Lord God. It was Christians who set up the first schools in this country.

A Christian monk discovered genetics. If Charles Darwin's theory of evolution can be taught, why can't Christianity?

After all, there are no human-ape fossils to prove his theory, nor did all the apes become human so his is still merely a hypothesis.

The big bang theory is just as ludicrous - this perfectly, precisioned world was a fluke.

Christianity is the only religion that forgives sins as nothing Man can do is perfect enough for the Holy God. Children need to be taught not to be greedy, this can lead to theft and envy, which can lead to fights or even murder, full of pride, hurting other people's feelings.

Instead love your neighbour as yourself.

The greatest commandment is to love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, might and strength. Until people do this there won't be peace on Earth like there is in Heaven.

New Zealand is based on Christianity. Our Calendars AD and BC, holy days such as Easter and Christmas, laws - such as thou shalt not murder, thou shalt not steal. The first schools and hospitals were set up by Christians, weddings and tangi are just some of the examples. (abridged)

Jo Ward, Dannevirke