To: 49thMIMOMander who wrote (4666 ) 10/13/2001 1:49:26 AM From: Maurice Winn Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 281500 Ilmarinen, depending on your definition of Maoris, there are very few who want their own country. Sure, there is some positioning and quite a thriving Maori industry getting taxpayer money, but they are in good company with a lot of other bludgers, such as the symphony orchestra and other arts, business people, doctors [protected trade], lawyers [protected trade], dole bludgers, domestic purposes beneficiaries, ACC fakers, sickness beneficiaries [who are fit enough to rob banks and getaway fast - on foot] and many others. I don't think we are going to have insurrection any time soon from any group in Kiwiland. We argue over whether Afghan [and other] refugees and other immigrants should be allowed in, but when they are, then they are made welcome [Pommy Bastards excepted ... that's a little in-joke]. Actually, even without civil strife in NZ, I'm all for NZ to become a self-governing protectorate within a federal UN system [which would need some reconstituting to make it politically acceptable - we don't want any Srebenica 'protection'. I'd be pleased if Kiwiland could be the first one. Unfortunately, I don't think I'd get a lot of support - it's like religion and giving up smoking; people are tough until they need a jailhouse conversion or get a shadow on their lungs. While times are good and the wolf's not at the door, they couldn't care less. Then again, maybe it's timely for me to push that line locally. Maybe NZ would go for it as a contribution to making the world a better place. Thanks for reminding me of one of my aims. I was a member of the United Nations Association a couple of decades ago and was pushing such a line then - without a lot of effort because unless something is timely, it's a waste of effort. Maybe now is the hour. Mqurice