"What Treaty Principles? There are none. "The Attorney General responded to my request for a copy of the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi by saying that there is no ‘authoritative copy’ of the Treaty Principles, but he said they have been ‘explored and discussed’ by the courts and the Waitangi Tribunal. (Letter available from the Attorney General’s office – just write and ask him for it.) "Exploration and discussion does not a principle make.... "There is an escalation of the Treaty Principles being incorporated into legislation, and the wording is changing and escalating alongside it. From the old days it was ‘have regard to’. Then it became ‘have regard and give effect to’, now we get the ‘give effect to and provide for’ the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. Fascinating when no-one seems to know what they are."
The cartoon is excellent. But I can only half agree with the words below it.
I agree that exploration and discussion does not a principle make. But there doesn't need to be an authoritive document explaining the principles for them to exist either.
We can disagree with the alleged principles that are advanced, without claiming they don't exist.
Any principle usually exists without an authoritive document. People come up with different explanations and applications of the principle. Happens even with Objectivism.
We welcome thoughtful disagreement. But we do (ir)regularly moderate comments -- and we *will* delete any with insulting or abusive language. Or if they're just inane or off topic. It’s okay to disagree, but pretend you’re having a drink in the living room with the person you’re disagreeing with. This includes me. PS: Have the honesty and courage to use your real name. That gives added weight to any opinion.
The cartoon is excellent. But I can only half agree with the words below it.
ReplyDeleteI agree that exploration and discussion does not a principle make. But there doesn't need to be an authoritive document explaining the principles for them to exist either.
We can disagree with the alleged principles that are advanced, without claiming they don't exist.
Any principle usually exists without an authoritive document. People come up with different explanations and applications of the principle. Happens even with Objectivism.
Agree.
ReplyDelete