Law and order

Press, 24 June 1985, Page 12

Law and order

Sir,—M. J. Morris (June 17) is his own worst enemy. His liberal way of thinking is what has led us to the chaotic and degenerate

times in which we live. Too often today when a criminal answers for his actions the blame is laid on society; we are told to feel pity for this criminal as it is our society which disadvantaged him. What a load of rubbish. We are all responsible for our actions and in no way can any excuses offered make them less wrong. It is high time New Zealand society stopped defending criminals and took time to consider the victims of their crimes. These are the people who are being disadvantaged by our society.—Yours, etc., D. J. McKENZIE. June 18, 1985.

Sir, — In a good example of fashionable socio-babble, M. J. Morris (June 17) rises to the defence of the “disadvantaged” criminal. Apparently it would be unjust for the law to deal harshly with, or demand compensation for the victims of, your average rapist, mugger, arsonist etc. If anyone suggests that this is precisely what the law should be doing, your correspondent attempts to discredit them with the odium of being “archaic and blind” or “highhanded and vicious.” That type of name calling, at best, amounts to empty rhetoric and contributes nothing to the serious debates concerning law and order. —

Yours, etc., DAVID SHANKS. June 18, 1985.