LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 24, 13 November 1984, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Cannabis Decriminalising cannabis for personal use must change many so-called criminals at present into law-abiding citizens. Maybe 1984 is the time for these archaic laws to be reviewed. A local recent incident has highlighted the injustices of the system as it stands today. I read in your paper the other week of a man who has just been convicted of having 685 grams of cannabis for his own personal use being fined $250. It is a well-known fact that anyone found with more than appoximately 30 grams of cannabis is deemed to be supplying and selling the drug. Why is it that the penalties given, particularly in drug related offences, vary so greatly? I recently read in another small town newspaper of two young men being found guilty of jointly possessing one small cannabis plant and 15 cannabis seeds. They were each fined $600. While writing this another case

springs to mind of a young man who was fined $150 for possessing one cannabis cigarette butt. What is happening in the legal system today when one man with a previous drug conviction is fined so lightly on what is usually considered a rather serious offence, while other men are fined so heavily for a lesser crime. There is a lot of discussion, both in and out of parliament, going on in New Zealand at present and I feel this is a pertinent time to publish writings regarding the drug, especially cannabis, legislations. Anonymous Church renovations An unsuspecting public might well be alerted to an unfortunate and unsettling petition circulating at present, over the proposed renovations to the interior of the Catholic Church in Ohakune. This petition appears illconceived and inaccurate.

Ill-conceived in that a matter internal to the St Joseph's parish community,. and sacred in content, is being taken to the secular authority fqr judgement. Church and State have long since abandoned getting involved unnecessarily in one another's affairs. It is hundreds of years now since the temporal and spiritual powers learnt to recognise and respect one another's camps and boundaries. The petition is inaccurate in that it suggests the renovations have tourists and skiers particularly in mind, which is quite untrue. The Historic Places Society wants old buildings preserved, but would in no way suggest we make museums of ourchurches, to the detriment of their use and purpose today. Sincere parishioners are saddened, particularly by personal comments being made against those proposing the changes, illogical and

irrelevant as any such personal attack is. Let us be informed before signing a petition, especially such an instrument of hurt among people as this one is. I appeal to the originators of it to look into their hearts and ask themselves if they are thinking with the Church, and why they are objecting in this manner. Fr Bernie Vella SM