Tuesday, March 20, 2007

GreyPower: Concerned About Bradford's Bill

from http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0703/S00237.htm

Tuesday, 20 March 2007, 3:05 pm - Press Release: Grey Power New Zealand

There is a fast growing concern amongst the majority of middle class and elderly citizens of New Zealand with regards to the "Anti Smacking Bill" bandied around Parliament recently.

"Not only are senior politicians, including the Prime Minister, unsure of the consequences of this legislation [Helen Clark's statement, that this Bill will not alter the present situation] but Grey Power is confident that 75% or more of their membership are of the opinion that parents and or caregivers must retain the right to discipline children under their care in an appropriate way, which includes smacking, if necessary", says Hamish Perry, Grey Power's Law and Order, Justice spokesperson.

Grey Power definitely do not and will not condone beatings, but seriously consider this Bill will be a further stage towards the increase in violent offending as shown in a graph indicating a steady increase in violent offences following the introduction of similar "soft soap" legislation since 1970. Police records show 43,534 violent offences in 2001 with a projected 682,538 violent offences in 2010.

A public Referendum would be appropriate in this case.