Media Release
30 July 2004
Put Them In The Army
New Zealand First spokesperson for law & order Ron Mark is pleased that the Government is inviting solutions designed to prevent young men entering into a life
of crime.
“Minister for Youth Affairs, John Tamihere expressed his concern that young men are 22 times more likely than young
women to be imprisoned and said the first step in the right direction is acknowledging that we have a deep, serious and
enduring problem.
“Mr Tamihere said many of our young men have not been given clear standards, lines of authority, discipline and
expectations throughout their lives and the damning statistics are indicative that something needs to be done.
“If the Government is honest about wanting solutions to this problem, we urge them to consider adopting our policy of
national military or community service training for at risk youth to foster discipline and self esteem and bring order
into their lives.
“New Zealand First has always stood firmly on its position that in order to address lawlessness in our society, we must
attack crime “at the source,” said Mr Mark.
ENDS