Te Kawerau a Maki, which has legal authority over the land transaction, is having a domestic with rangatahi who have dragged in "rent-a-mob" plus political players hoping to climb the political ladder prior to the elections. Willie Jackson and co were sent there by the Government to listen to grievances and no doubt reported back on their visit.
Why is New Zealand getting embroiled in this pitiful debate fanned by people like Wilson and the Maori Party? Why is the NZ Government wasting taxpayers' money and resources (NZ Police) on this civil dispute?
BOB WALKER
St John's Hill
Emotive argument
Mr Scown's letter (August 28) describes those whose opinions are based on scientifically proven facts garnered from empirical evidence as believers, conjuring up the notion of adherents of a particular religion.
This emotive conclusion to his letter attempts to rally opposing tribes into their respective group by heading his clarion call.
Facts do not support his opening statement that "changing climate is being blamed on the burning of fossil fuels". What the facts do state is that it is one of the contributors, a major one, to climate change.
Pacific Island leaders did not ask for Australia's coal industry to be shut down. They wanted Australia to take a stronger leadership role in addressing climate change, and for attending countries to revise the emissions reduction targets and for a rapid phase-out of coal use.
A presentation of facts on how climate change is affecting Island nations reduced Tonga Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva to tears. Facts causing an emotional response, not emotive arguments leading into heated debate with a predictable outcome.
Further reinforcing his rallying call, Mr Scown concludes with "stuff the economy".
What desolate images those words evoke — and it is a prime example of the use of the emotive.
Pleading a case with proven facts and without emotive language has the potential to allow reasoned argument to take place, which in turn enhances the prospects of a person's viewpoint being changed. Attempted short-cutting by using emotive verbiage browbeating takes a lot less effort and results in fortifying tribal entrenchment. The planet already has more than enough of that.
MAX WARBURTON
Whanganui
Reunion
Calling all ex-Melville Hamilton Teachers' College Students.
If you attended Hamilton Teachers' College from 1960-64 at the original site in Melville, the organising committee of a 60th anniversary/reunion being held in Hamilton on February 14-15 would like to hear from you. Please send your contact details to brocks@kinect.co.nz or text/phone 0274570820 or 078558165 so you can be kept up to date with proceedings.
RAEWYN STEEL
Hamilton
•Send your letters to: Letters, Whanganui Chronicle, 100 Guyton St, PO Box 433, Whanganui 4500 or email letters@wanganuichronicle.co.nz
