Justice denied

FROM PAGE 7 has been there literally for centuries. It is the declaration that needs correction, although as it is a historical artifact this probably can’t occur.

Facebook should go back to its original purposes, sharing photos and being a venue for bullying rather than making political statements, especially by using an automatic algorithm.

There is a current drive to update the Irish constitution in regard to the role of women in society. The phrases, ‘In particular, the state recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the state a support without which the common good cannot be achieved,’ and, ‘The state shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to neglect of their duties in the home,’ are really from a different centuries’ thinking and need to be removed. These changes should be obvious and immediate, but as they are part of the constitution a referendum needs to be held to ensure this happens — hopefully.

Perhaps the law-writers should take some guidance from the small country of Bhutan, which has ‘Gross National Happiness’ enshrined in the country’s constitution as a measure of the country’s success. Writing letters is difficult enough, although writing constitutions and laws that work for all seems nearly impossible.

DENNIS FITZGERALD

Melbourne

It is incredible and most disturbing to read the gross injustice inflicted on us by the “justice” system.

We read that a person was recently convicted of supplying dangerous synthetic drugs, with the resultant death of Calum Jones, and received a sentence of community detention, intensive supervision, community work and judicial monitoring. Synthetic drugs are dangerous.

We know that two people were convicted and received sentences of four years nine months and two years six months respectively for cannabisrelated “crimes”. We also read of the jail sentences of “green fairies”, who compassionately risked their freedom to help those with medical problems that cannot be helped by the medical profession.

Where is the justice in our society? Cannabis is a healing plant with many health benefits. People would not risk their freedom to use this plant if it did not work.

In our opinion, with the 20,000-plus scientific studies that have been conducted on cannabis, we can confidently say that the raw cannabis plant, which our outdated laws have prohibited, is safe.

May common sense prevail, and those who supply dangerous synthetic drugs be convicted appropriately, and the cannabis plant be re-legalised.

BEVERLEY ALDRIDGE, KATHLEEN PATTINSON

Otamatea Grey Power