Corso decision

Press, 29 September 1979, Page 14

Corso decision

Sir, — About the only good thing about the National Government’s decisions against Corso is that together they are one more big nail in the coffin of the most inadequate and divisive government we have had since the Great Depression of the early 19305. How in the name of anything decent can people respect a government which can stoop to such shabby actions? To decide to help the needy, or to decide not to, are both political and moral decisions in this now beleaguered world of ours. Finally, T would challenge the government, or any of its apologists, to take the “Corso Projects Book 1979.” and attempt to demonstrate that any of the more than 40 projects listed in the poorer undeveloped world are unworthy of the support of all decent, concerned New Zealanders regardless of religion or political party affiliations. — Yours, etc., H. G. KILPATRICK. September 26, 1979. Sir, — Corso claims to educate the public as to the causes of poverty. In order to be an effective educator it must know not only the causes of but also the remedies for that poverty. Therefore. I ask that Corso state briefly what in its view are first, the causes of poverty, and second, the economic and or political remedies it proposes to overcome that poverty. With the benefit of that' statement John Citizen will then be able to decide whether in fact Corso is following our Lord’s injunction to feed rnv sheep or whether, as some of us increasingly suspect. Corso is actively promoting that anti-Christ abomination so popular with Church as opposed to Christian circles namelv the politicisation of Christianity. Our Lord was not a politician let alone a political activist. His actions on Palm Sunriav show that. No amount of bleating from the so called Christian Left can make it otherwise. — Yours, etc.,

D. H. GODFREY. September 27, 1979.

Sir. — If in Corso's quest for justice, to free people from hunger and oppression it makes many of us uncomfortable. it has a message that cannot be ignored. In line with United Nations thinking on aid, Corso has changed direction in seeking out the causes of poverty and not just treating the symptoms. The Government has taken exception to Corso’s education programme, which incidentally is funded entirely from donations ear-marked for education. If the Government is consistent, the Save the Children Fund must be next for the chop. Following Corso’s lead S.C.F. now agrees that food and milk powder are only patch-up aid. “Cure the disease, eradicate poverty, and most important of all, provide education.” (“The Press,” September 27.) Surelv this is exactly the sort of “political” talk which motivated the Government’s vindictive action against Corso. — Yours, etc.,

A. C COTTRELL September 27, 1979.

Sir, —The move against Corso indicates two things about our Government: (1) It does not agree that aid should be given to help the exploited and powerless change their situation. While this is not surprising, it is nevertheless disappointing in a country that is itself suffering growing exploitation from the industrial centres. (2) It will not recognise as legitimate different views of aid from its own. This is both surprising and alarming, for the 1975 National Partv manifesto emphasised freedom as its central tenet. To suggest now that any differences from Government views should be penalised and must stem from sinister Left-wing plots undermines New Zealand the way we want it. —Yours etc.. W. E. WILLMOTT. September 27, 1979.