Bastion Point

Press, 29 May 1978, Page 16

Bastion Point

Sir, — Mr Rata’s comments on the Bastion Point eviction are more those of a political stirrer than of a responsible JVlaori leader. The law is equal for all New Zealanders and the Bastion Point case was decided by the courts and this decision should be abided by accordingly. Regarding the using of the words “overkill by the police” I only can say that, if the use of a smaller police force had led to but one protester’s being wounded, the whole country would have been in an uproar. Now, that the eviction has been completed in an orderly manner, it is called an “overkill." You can’t win. My congratulations to the police for a job well done. It is about time that the public shows more appreciation for the task the police has in view of increasing violence in our country, — Yours, H. E. MENRATH. May 26, 1978. Sir, — Once again the Maori has fought with bureaucracy over land rights and has lost. Indeed, how could he possibly have hoped to maintain rights to such a prize piece of real estate as Bastion Point, when intangibles such as cultural heritage and historic association were being weighed against dollars. The dignity and pride shown by the protesters in the face of legitimate destruction of their traditional values, humbles the pakeha. The military operation undertaken to remove them proves that there has been little progress since Parihaka. — Yours, etc., A. L. CARRUTHERS. May 26, 1978. Sir, — I would like to know whether it is the Labour Party’s policy to accept the rulings of the Supreme Court and the maintenance of law and order, as did the National Government regarding the Bastion Point issue. From the criticism of Archdeacon Ihaka and the Labour member of Parliament for Northern Maori (Mr M. Rata) it would appear that law and order and the rulings of the Supreme Court would be replaced by sentimentality. I would like to commend the police for their restraint, and dignified manner in handling the Bastion Point situation. — Yours, etc., A. OLIVER. May 26, 1978. Sir, — The eviction today of the Maori land protesters from Bastion Point has shocked and horrified me. In fact, I feel quite ashamed to be a pakeha New Zealander. The Government officials involved in the organisation of the eviction have absolutely nothing of which to be proud. The fact that there were so many police and army personnel involved in quelling a most peaceful, dignified pro-

test augurs very badly for any New Zealander’s future right to protest peaceably about anything he wishes. Once, New Zealand had a race relations record of which to be fairly proud. No more. Not after today. — Yours, etc., A; HULSTON. May 25, 1978.