An Off-Key Note

Avaricious Mendacity, Cloaked in Faux Grievances

(Some) Maori are all up in arms over the government's decision to create a marine sanctuary around the Kermadec islands.  They allege that their quota fishing rights in the area have been obliterated.  The sub-allegation is that once again government has illicitly appropriated what belonged to Maori by virtue of previous Treaty of Waitangi settlements.

Maybe.  For our money we always maintain a healthy scepticism towards government claims to land, wealth, and property.  The State has form when it comes to acquisitive mendacity.  In days now long past our parents were subjected to a government land grab by means of standover tactics, via threatening the compulsory acquisition if the family did not "consent" to sell. The forcibly-acquired land subsequently turned out to be land in excess of crown requirements.  The State then sold most of the land acquired at an excessive profit back to the private sector--not those from whom it was extricated in the first place.

But we digress.  Regardless of the merits and legality of the State's declaration of a marine sanctuary--which we would be glad to see tested in the Courts--the Maori action is risible.  One commentator skewers the Maori position:

More to Come?

The British Riots Risk Being the New Normal

Theodore Dalrymple has an excellent piece on the recent riots in Great Britain. Disaffected youth suddenly took the to the streets and took control.  The (liberal) British establishment shook its head and said, "We warned you.  This is what happens when inequality takes hold."  Dalrymple shreds the idea. It is timely given the Left's preoccupation in this country with the alleged national sin of the rich getting richer and the poor, poorer.