I hope the rest of the world is watching.
In 1980 the world condemned South Africa for their policy of ‘Apartheid', a small minority had all the plums and privileges and a very unfair distribution of the national wealth. This privileged minority was decided on one thing only – the colour of their skin.
Far away in New Zealand we had civil unrest with protestors during the Springbok tour, engaged in pitched battles with police ‘Red and Blue' squads. Not because they hated the police but to try to get a fair deal for the people of South Africa.
In New Zealand our government is trying to ram through the ‘Marine and Coastal Area Bill' to give a small minority untold privileges, wealth and control of our foreshore and seabed. How does one qualify for this privilege? Strictly the colour of your skin. If this is not apartheid what is?
If Helen Clark achieved one thing in her term it must be ‘setting in concrete' that the seabed and foreshore is crown land. With Key and Finlayson choosing to open this Pandora's Box with 85% of Kiwis against it is unbelievable and can only achieve political suicide.
Thank heaven this is election year!
D Shiel, Matua.