Coping with gangs

Press, 17 August 1979, Page 12

Coping with gangs

Sir, — I was relieved that David Lange, M.P., said harsher methods and punishments are useless; that society and unemployment are to blame; that gangs do some good. This needed saying. The weather and the poor form of the All Blacks are also major contributors. I too have witnessed good actions by gang members. Two years ago one patted my dog; another, while sharpening his bike chain, resisted the impulse to kill a butterfly which landed on him. Numerous examples of sensitivity can be found if one looks long and hard enough. Let’s face it; anyone who loves his softball bat or bike chain can’t be all bad. Whenever these chaps defend themselves against! menacing old ladies or lone policemen a cry wells up for (tougher measures in barbaric terms like punishment, discipline, and other repressive words which pre-date Dr Spock. Fortunately, David Lange speaks for thousands who are concerned that no harm comes to these victims of our society. — Yours, etc., D. W. BIRD, . Kaikoura. I August 14, 1979. Sir, — A.- H. Gardner (August 15) has not much confidence in New Zealand police, that is quite clear. He implies that countries in the European continent violently create disrespect for their police, because they carry arms. I assure him respect for police and other authorities is inborn in people of European countries, not as he suggests, caused by distrustful fear. They are looked upon as “superior in keeping law and order.” If extra power would make New Zealand police cocky and arrogant, then I feel sorry for the people of New Zealand, as they are at the mercy of vicious gangs and irresponsible individuals. If New Zealand police are overbearing already, as A. H. Gardner proclaims, I have nothing more to say. — Yours, etc., E. WEBSTER. | August 15, 1979. ' Sir, — Our police force is made up of people who have little desire to carry weapons. If the police are armed the job becomes more attractive to those who see themselves as pistol-packing heroes with a latent desire to hunt rather than fight crime. Yes, arming the police would be a part answer to solving the gang problem; potential gang members would then join the police. — Yours, etc., NEIL ANDREWS. August 15, 1979. Sir, — We vote the Gov-s emment in with confidence that it will handle the cornu try’s affairs and we have it wasting $6OO of our money to ferry gang members to Parliament for a “round table discussion.” If Mr Couch thinks this Mickey Mouse conference will achieve anything he must be living in a realm of fantasy. A definite vote of no confidence in the Government’s handling of our affairs from me. I would like to tljjnk

that another 599 businessmen will withhold $1 of their taxation payments as a protest over the Government misusing tax-payers’ money. I am not prepared to stand by and see our country’s problems handled in such an asinine way. Why, when we have more far-reaching problems at the moment to be publicised, does the media give these gangs the publicity they revel in? — Yours, etc., JOHN HELLMRICH. August 15, 1979,

Sir, — There has been much heart-searching lately about gang violence and its causes. One authoritative person has suggested that drinking is the main cause and I am sure this is very likely. The Government talks a lot about restructuring, whatever that may mean. What a farce this is when the biggest leak in our economy is so obviously due to alcohol, a drug. It is strange that so few people recognise that we are ail suffering from affluence and self-indulgence. Opening the pubs in the evenings was a bad mistake and must have caused more drinking and all that goes with these dens of iniquity, gang violence, and what have you. The Islamic religion forbids alcohol and usury and we could do well to follow their example. — Yours, etc., R. C. JONES, Oxford. August 13, 1979.