INDEPENDENT NEWS

New Zealand Ruled Like Animal Farm - Peters

Published: Mon 28 Apr 2003 01:58 PM
New Zealand Ruled Like Animal Farm - Peters
New Zealand First leader Rt Hon Winston Peters says the Government is continuing to head down a very dangerous path with its Orwellian policy that although all citizens are equal, Maori are more equal than the others.
“The Deputy Prime Minister’s reported statement that the Treaty of Waitangi guarantees property and other rights to Maori, such as the need for the Maori language to be promoted and protected over and above English, is a blatant message that all citizens are not equal in this country.
“Dr Cullen has the cheek, in the same breath, to say there is nothing for non-Maori New Zealanders to be afraid of.
“All New Zealanders have every reason to be afraid of these statements,” said Mr Peters.
“It is simply not possible for any society to function for the benefit of all its members if some are given special rights at the expense of others.
“The Treaty of Waitangi is a well intentioned, elegantly written document and has a special place within New Zealand’s historic framework. It should not be taken as a handbook on legal matters such as property opwnership and cultural assets in modern day New Zealand.
“By constantly doing so, the Government is driving a wedge between Maori and non-Maori and doing nothing to help Maori in the real areas of need such as employment, health, education and housing,” said Mr Peters.

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