Letters: Our cash for a petty civil dispute at Ihumatao

The occupation of Ihumatao near Auckland Airport. Why is the Government involved in this dispute?

I find it appalling that the new president of the Māori Party, which managed to poll only 1.2 per cent in the 2017 elections, calls out the Prime Minister of New Zealand for not doing enough for NZ Māori. Really?

Now Che Wilson is demanding the Prime Minister should talk to the Auckland land protesters. Personally, I hope Fletchers takes them to court for the cost delays to building those 480 urgently needed homes.

But hang on, the Prime Minister and our Government have "put a stop to this development until this protest is sorted". Does that mean the protesters can't be sued? I think the Prime Minster has done more than enough; she has interfered in a private business transaction.

Waikato Māori lost the land in question in a battle against the New Zealand Government (a common thing in those days in many countries and still happening overseas today). Land owner Gavin Wallace's descendants hope the development goes ahead to supply urgently needed houses for Māori and other New Zealanders in Auckland.

Latest records show Fletchers paid $19 million in March 2014 when the rateable value was $11.5m, showing that Fletchers did not rip anyone off. Protesters claim the land was a burial ground when, in fact, Māori used it for growing vegetables and the ground was frequently cultivated and turned over. That would hardly happen to a Māori burial site or even a European one. Burial caves adjoin the Fletchers building site but are not on it.

Te Kawerau a Maki, which has legal authority over the land transaction, is having a domestic with rangatahi who have dragged in "rent-a-mob" plus political players hoping to climb the political ladder prior to the elections. Willie Jackson and co were sent there by the Government to listen to grievances and no doubt reported back on their visit.

Why is New Zealand getting embroiled in this pitiful debate fanned by people like Wilson and the Maori Party? Why is the NZ Government wasting taxpayers' money and resources (NZ Police) on this civil dispute?

BOB WALKER
St John's Hill

Emotive argument

Mr Scown's letter (August 28) describes those whose opinions are based on scientifically proven facts garnered from empirical evidence as believers, conjuring up the notion of adherents of a particular religion.

This emotive conclusion to his letter attempts to rally opposing tribes into their respective group by heading his clarion call.

Facts do not support his opening statement that "changing climate is being blamed on the burning of fossil fuels". What the facts do state is that it is one of the contributors, a major one, to climate change.

Pacific Island leaders did not ask for Australia's coal industry to be shut down. They wanted Australia to take a stronger leadership role in addressing climate change, and for attending countries to revise the emissions reduction targets and for a rapid phase-out of coal use.

A presentation of facts on how climate change is affecting Island nations reduced Tonga Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva to tears. Facts causing an emotional response, not emotive arguments leading into heated debate with a predictable outcome.

Further reinforcing his rallying call, Mr Scown concludes with "stuff the economy".
What desolate images those words evoke — and it is a prime example of the use of the emotive.

Pleading a case with proven facts and without emotive language has the potential to allow reasoned argument to take place, which in turn enhances the prospects of a person's viewpoint being changed. Attempted short-cutting by using emotive verbiage browbeating takes a lot less effort and results in fortifying tribal entrenchment. The planet already has more than enough of that.

MAX WARBURTON
Whanganui

Reunion
Calling all ex-Melville Hamilton Teachers' College Students.
If you attended Hamilton Teachers' College from 1960-64 at the original site in Melville, the organising committee of a 60th anniversary/reunion being held in Hamilton on February 14-15 would like to hear from you. Please send your contact details to brocks@kinect.co.nz or text/phone 0274570820 or 078558165 so you can be kept up to date with proceedings.
RAEWYN STEEL
Hamilton

•Send your letters to: Letters, Whanganui Chronicle, 100 Guyton St, PO Box 433, Whanganui 4500 or email letters@wanganuichronicle.co.nz