That bill
Finally, we can all see that the three part Treaty Principles Bill is no threat to anyone and does nothing to diminish or alter the treaty signed by Hobson on behalf of the Crown and the 500-plus tribal chiefs throughout New Zealand. Anyone claiming otherwise lacks an understanding of our history or is influenced by misinformation. Many possibly have a vested interest as well.
The true treaty, recognised by international law was the one written in Māori. Sadly, that document is not recognised within New Zealand law today as by legislation enacted in 1975 the English version only is recognised and all subsequent legislation stems from it. The English version, of which there are many differing copies bears little resemblance to that signed by the chiefs. It is lengthy, uses flowery language and contains many words absent in the signed treaty, such as forests and fisheries.
My wish would be for democracy to run its course in the select committee process, which should not require six months. I don’t think a referendum is the final answer. What I would like is for the coalition government to promise, with specific detail, to revisit the 1975 Treaty of Waitangi Act. That Act is the root cause of the much of today’s unrest.
Murray Reid
Leamington
Letters to Editor. Photo: Pixabay
