Learning creates understanding

The recent letters by A Bourne, I Brougham, B Johnson (The Weekend Sun, September 22 and 29, October 6) condemning the proposed teaching of te reo, and the reasons given, need to be challenged. A Bourne in particular uses terminology designed to inflame passions and prejudice. The assertion that only Maori and trendy lefty Europeans view te reo as a treasure is patently false. All languages are a treasure. 'The use of valuable lesson spaces, needed to equip our young to manage in the real world". Hello, Mr Bourne, the interaction between Maori and non-Maori is an important part of ‘the real world' and becoming more relevant by the day. Forcing people to learn a language 'smacks of fascism," what rubbish, all education of the young is arguably forced. It makes as much sense to learn te reo as it does any other language that may go unused. The learning creates understanding, understanding creates respect, respect creates peace. Isn't that what we all want?

M Bell, Omanawa.

Correspondence on this subject is now closed.

You may also like....

3 comments

M.Bell, this letter is outstanding.

Posted on 13-10-2017 11:32 | By Peter Dey

This letter sums up perfectly the flaws in the comments made by A.Bourne, I.Brougham, and B.Johnson.


nonsense letter

Posted on 13-10-2017 18:23 | By Captain Sensible

For evil to triumph, all it takes is for good men to do nothing. Thankfully we still have some good men who won't shut up. Thank you A.Bourne, I.Brougham, and B.Johnson for doing your best to stop the evil separatism, racism, and apartheid, entitlement and special privileges that many maori demand purely because they have a few drops of maori blood in their veins.


Good men don't preach oppression Cap'n.

Posted on 15-10-2017 09:05 | By R. Bell

Which is exactly what you preach. Your record is undeniably riddled with all of the evil your above comment reveals. On the other hand the above letter reveals that good men and women don't support your doctrine. Robin Bell.


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.