10 May 2005

MP's Urged To Support Treaty Principles Bill

Members of Parliament have been asked to set aside their differences and support the first reading of Rt Hon Winston Peters’ members bill that deletes reference to the “principles” of the Treaty of Waitangi from all legislation.

“Vague laws are bad laws. Long suffering taxpayers have spent countless millions appeasing the Treaty travelers while ordinary Maori have not benefited in real terms from a system they did not seek in the first place,” said Mr Peters.

Mr Peters said his bill aimed to correct an anomaly that had harmed race relations since 1986 when the vague term “the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi” was first included in legislation.

“The problem is that these airy-fairy principles were never defined and a whole industry of political correctness has developed around them.

“To make matters worse, courts at all levels have made their own interpretations of this phrase with results that were never intended by Parliament. A Treaty gravy train was started on an endless journey and a process of endless litigation.

“It is a time for MPs to support this bill and serve their country instead of the interests of a greedy few,” said Mr Peters.

The Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Deletion Bill goes before Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday 11 May) and Mr Peters will seek to have it referred to the justice and electoral select committee so the public can have their say on the matter.

ENDS

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