Law and order

Press, 13 March 1987, Page 16

Law and order

Sir,—-The report of the Ministerial Committee into Violence is noteworthy for its breadth and honesty. Not everyone will agree with all its findings. Many will be startled by the unpalatable truth that we are reaping what we

have sown — in the words of the Minister, “New Zealand has the violent society it deserves.” Attention was drawn, among other things, to permissiveness run wild, violence and pornography, the accepted norm in the visual media, and the general sad lack of awareness of spiritual values. In my personal submission to the committee I referred to these and other trends as “catalysts” that activate and inflame the inherent weaknesses of human nature. I also referred to the solemn responsibility for many of the ills of society, of secular humanism — a philosophy that bows God out of His own country and opposes and suppresses the old Gospel which, historically and currently, is a proven cure for human degeneracy. — Yours, etc.,

H. G. ORAM. March 7, 1987.

Sir, —The Ministerial Committee of Inquiry into Violence has unearthed many of the violent symptoms facing society today. How much longer must this pornograhic and macho violence continue to plague society? The fruits of this violence are evident in personal relationships, aggression on the roads and the general disregard for courtesy in everyday life. It is now up to the Government to implement the proposals of the committee. If violence is not eradicated from the TV screen, and pornography expunged from all bookshops and dairies, violence and murder will multiply beyond rational understanding. Furthermore, the continual influx of Americanised violence into this country will deepen the demise of a society’s intellectuality, as is happening today. Young people are already growing up knowing only of guns and fast cars. How can wg, as a supposedly intelligent and Christian society, allow this rot to continue? — Yours, etc.,