Dear Editor

The request, by Hone Hawira’s Te Ropu Tupeka Kore, for the Waitangi Tribunal to rule that, because Maori are disproportionally affected by smoking related illness, the repeal of Labour’s tobacco sales ban is contrary to Treaty obligations, will set some interesting precedents if successful.

Obesity disproportionally affects Maori and obesity is harmful; consequently allowing Maccas and KFC to be sold in New Zealand must also be against Treaty obligations and they should be banned. Alcohol similarly causes untold physical and mental harm, so ban it too.

Also much social harm is caused by gangs who control the NZ drug trade, so gangs and gang membership must also be banned if the Treaty is to be honoured.

The list goes on, with the above being just a few of the areas where the government, and all others before it, have failed to follow the Treaty. When will justice prevail?

Disgruntled of Eskdale

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