Opinion
Organisers of Auckland's Santa Parade tomorrow have endured some silly criticism for their refusal to include the Chinese meditational movement Falun Gong.
Falun Gong, for some reason, antagonises the government of China, which is not very hard. Protesters for Tibet show China's skin to be thin every time
they try to stand within sight of a visiting official.
Host governments usually lean too far backwards to save the visitor's face and let down their own liberal standards.
Critics accuse the Farmers Santa Parade of similarly kowtowing to China's sensitivity. They seem not to know, or care, why Falun Gong want to join a Santa parade; China's opposition is commendation enough.
This is deference in reverse. It is letting the foreign row decide the issue every bit as much as it does when a host government goes out of its way to frustrate legitimate protest.
The only way to make a truly independent decision is to ignore the political pressures from both sides and ask the sort of questions that would arise for the organisers when any group wants to join their parade.
Are they entering in the spirit of the occasion?
Could they do it any harm?
Wellington's Santa Parade allowed Falun Gong to march and United Future leader Peter Dunne says no harm was done. No harm except that nothing else was mentioned. Their presence overwhelmed interest in the event. Political controversy has this effect on anything it touches.
It may be no fault of Falun Gong that they are tarred with political controversy. But it is a fact that cannot be wished away.
Their rights in this country are secure. Sensitivity to China and diplomatic considerations will never prevent them practising their beliefs, protesting if they wish, parading when appropriate. But no group joins another's parade as of right.
The organisers of tomorrow's Santa Parade in Auckland could have made the same decision if the Scientologists or the Destiny Church had asked to be included.
Genuinely non-political groups do not impose themselves on a festive occasion if their presence would change its character. A Christmas parade is one of those events that celebrate the innocent, escapist side of life.
Every community needs these moments as much as they need political debate and difficult decisions. It is a Santa parade, for heaven's sake. Let it be just for fun.
