It's all about numbers

Not too long ago, when Helen Clark called Winston into her office to shore up some votes for proposed legislation on the foreshore and seabed, she probably knew that should NZ First support the legislation it will pass. As it happens she probably needed the support of NZ first purely because it has more MP's than United Future. The Greens were never going to support the legislation. So with a couple of words - public domain - taken out of the proposed legislation at Winston's request, United Future has been skittled and the proposed legislation hijacked. But if the two offending words were left in, it would be interesting to see how the Maori Land Court would interpret that phrase.

According to Don Brash " The Government is telling all New Zealanders that they own our beaches but telling Maori they have control".

But isn't it interesting that Maori women in Labour are opposed to the proposed legislation but the Maori guys are supporting it? Could it be that Tamihere, Horomia and co are like Helen " I've voted for lots of things I haven't fully agreed with" Clark.

But, under this policy, will all new Zealanders get access "to" the foreshore and seabed, (as Clark has said), "along and over" the seabed and foreshore (as Government statements have said) or are they guaranteed access "of" the foreshore and seabed?

What it will mean is that without the words "public domain" the legislation will progress. And progressing and passing legislation is all that matters for this Government, whatever the consequences.

If it takes this much to get legislation into the house, surely it is water-tight enough to survive the Select Committee process also.

Oh, and on the topic of Maori electorates, if Maori All Black teams cannot be picked any more due to employment laws preventing appointment based on race, what then will happen to Maori seats at the next (by)election?