ALA’ AL-BUSTANJI

Maori land is Maori land and it is not up to the government to decide what to do with it.

On the other hand it’s the government’s job to have serious and resolute discussions with iwi to help them figure out the best ways to increase the productivity of their land for their own benefit which, by the way, will simply benefit the whole nation.

We all wish to see a wiser and more responsible alcohol consumption in our community especially by our younger citizens.

Although most of us consume and enjoy alcohol, some of us seem to abuse it again and again.

This, in many cases, results in bad consequences that vary from self harm, addiction, disorderly behaviour, domestic and social violence, fatal traffic accidents and other unfortunate events that could and should be avoided.

In saying that, and though the dangerous effects of too much alcohol on younger ones are worse, it is unfair to think or assume that most of alcohol related problems are caused by younger consumers.

We also need to remember that people at the age of (18+) are capable of making life changing decisions: What to study at uni, what to do with their lives and they’re expected to be independent and responsible for their actions.

Many of them join the military and end up in conflict zones engaging in life threatening encounters.

They are allowed to vote for parliament, they help choose the sort of government that will be leading their country.

Are we going to review or change all that? Definitely not!

Therefore, I personally think it is better to start educating young and adult people more about the serious consequences of abusing alcohol rather than, unreasonably, raising the age of purchasing it.