Matariki v Queen's birthday
The New Zealand Herald reports the debate over the relevance of Queen's birthday holiday has flared again in Australia. This could have an impact in New Zealand, if enacted. I commented:
"The ridiculous thing about Queen's Birthday is that it's not actually her birthday - it's just a day that they picked because it was a time when they had good weather in England, which tells you all you need to know about this holiday in terms of its relevance to New Zealand and Australia."
However, the important point is that we're not simply trying to get rid of a holiday:
"The issue that most people have is that they want a holiday to replace Queen's Birthday, and in New Zealand we've actually got a really good replacement in Matariki, which is something we've been calling for for a few years now."
Monarchy New Zealand's acting chairman, Sean Palmer, responded by taking a childish swipe a republicans and claiming that Queen's birthday is a celebration of democracy. Yes, really.
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You're joking, Lewis. He really said that? Man, we gotta put these guys out of their misery!
Indeed he did - and it's in print. I'm not too worried about it to be honest, it reflects badly on their side more than ours. When Jen saw it she said she didn't know why they're having a swipe at us, given the issue is really about the Queen's birthday.
Yeah, I see what Jen's saying. To get a better quote from Sean, the reporter may have innocently mentioned republicanism. He (Matthew Blackhouse) is a sensible fella if so, 'cause Sean took it hook, line and sinker.
To me, Sean's taking the bait strongly suggests the monarchists are feeling insecure about us. They know we're acoming and are looking to jump on any issue even vaguely relating to us. Can you think of another reason why Sean might have taken the reporter's bait?
Cheers,
Mike
There's definitely insecurity. It's a deep seated insecurity which pervades many New Zealanders who remember a time when New Zealand had preferential trade with the United Kingdom. However, this doesn't wash with all New Zealanders, especially those of us born after 1973, hence the current emphasis on the "independent" monarchy... which it isn't.
Hmmm. Do you think that insecurity is trending upwards at all?
Cheers
Mike
Not that I can tell - but I do think it's important we call it out when we see it. When we were campaigning for Keith's Bill the level of rhetoric used by the monarchists was simply ridiculous - to the point that they claimed not having a referendum was more democratic than having one!
Haha, man, we gotta think out how to exploit this. Maybe if we write a rebuttals page, we can put a slider in with their choicer quotes. :-)
Cheers
Mike
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