Law enforcement priorities

Press, 11 March 1983, Page 16

Law enforcement priorities

Sir.—Dennis Wilkinson (March 5), wanted thinking New Zealanders to raise their voices against “this unnatural obsession” of law enforcement agencies in New Zealand with sexual matters, and for them “to get on with things of more importance”. Thinking New Zealanders, however, realise that, because we have got further and further away from sound moral standards, we have more and more adults and innocent children also, suffering severely. Years ago the people who wanted laxer moral standards never anticipated what a cost this would be to Government departments, as well as in human terms. May our law enforcement agents be encouraged to nip trouble in the bud. — Yours, etc., TOM ASKIN. March 7, 1983. Sir,—Mr Wilkinson (March 5) is wrong in assuming prostitution and pornography are comparatively minor offences which should not be receiving such intensive police and customs officer activity to combat them. There is ample evidence of sexual immorality leading to family breakdown, mental illness, physical

disease, and crimes of types which Mr Wilkinson should agree demand high priority law enforcement. In fact I am sure that most decent citizens recognise the need for even more stringent law enforcement to reduce the number of massage parlours encouraging prostitution, and the number of avenues by which pornography enters the country and is openly displayed. Our laws still embody some essential Christian values and for a true perspective on the importance of obedience to these laws we should bear in mind they are based on God's laws.—Yours, etc.,

JOHN CANHAM. March 7, 1983.