Citizens’ voice
Sir, — The article on the California tax revolt (“The Press,” June 8) set me thinking. Here is an example of a group of ordinary citizens forcing the Government to hold a referendum and to pass laws according to the results. What a change from the New Zealand system, where the Government can ignore public opinion completely (except once every three years), and where it does not even have to receive a petition. In Switzerland, all important pieces of legislation must be voted on. by the people before they become law, and ordinary people have the right to force referendums on any subject; the petition seeking the referendum must have 50,000 valid signatures on it I think a system such as this in New Zealand could only do good. The “person in the street” would then help make; decisions, instead of just sitting back and fuming because “the Government is so incompetent, and we can’t do a thing about it.” — Yours, etc., PETER KELLER, Greymouth. June 9, 1979.
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Press, 13 June 1979, Page 18
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169Citizens’ voice Press, 13 June 1979, Page 18
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