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Dear Editor
The Maori language will never be part of my life. I’m a fifth-generation New Zealander of European extraction. I attended my schooling at state-funded New Zealand institutions and the Maori language was never taught at any of them. Therefore the language is basically foreign to me.
I’m sure it’s a beautiful thing for those who choose to learn and use it but it shouldn’t be forced upon those who have no understanding of it. To me, it’s as clearly understood as quantum physics.
We have a government that has blackmailed New Zealand’s media into
using it on a regular basis. To qualify for a state-funded subsidy, the
media are required to actively promote the use of Maori. This language
is useless on the world stage as it is not known elsewhere. Yet your and my tax dollars have been directed to change the way New Zealanders view a language that has absolutely no use in the modern world.
The general population of New Zealand absolutely hated the idea of farmers being subsidised to produce food prior to the Lange government of the ’80s yet there is no voice of discontent about the media being subsidised today, with apparent conditions to support the government narrative. Why not? It’s not as if the media today are trustworthy.
Of course, there is a place for the Maori language and I have great
respect for those who choose to learn and use it. The ability to be
multilingual is not to be scoffed at. However, I was taught English. I
understand English. I communicate in English. Don’t expect me to bow
down to a language that I neither understand nor want to understand.
A government that subsidises the press, with stipulations, is a very
dangerous government indeed, as to qualify for the subsidy, the press
must do as the government requests. The implementation of the Maori
language will only be the first step in the complete control of the
media.
Signed
Southern Sheep Man
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