Down - what - the murder rate. It seems unbelievable but the murder rate is down.New Zealand's murder rate appears to have almost halved in the past 20 years despite an overwhelming public belief that crime has got worse.
Police statistics show that for 44 years until about 1970 the murder rate fluctuated around an average of six a year for every million people.
The rate leapt to an average of 21 murders per million people annually from 1985 to 1992, but has dropped steadily ever since. Last year's rate was 12.1 murders per million people.
This trend is in line with Australia, the U.S. and Britain.
Unemployment has dropped since then in all three countries which could have some bearing. Another idea is that the definition of murder has changed over the years. Conspiracy to murder, attempting to procure a murder and accessory after the fact to murder have all been included in the offence type "murder" since 1994.
I also wonder what the manslaughter rate is as 50 -60 years ago they would have had a poor defence and now with legal aid they seem to get the very best if they have no assets (while the poor middle class still get stuck with having to not only pay for themselves, but pay for the no-hopers). So now thanks to the brilliant defence they get, those who have murdered now get found guilty of the lesser crime. However, I am certain that crime now is more brutal.
The figures
Annual murder rate (per million people)
1926-1970: 6
1985-1992: 21
1994-1998: 15
1999-2003: 14
2004-2008: 12
Supercity ?? The report on Auckland to merge all the local councils into one has been accepted by the Government. Whether or not it will save money is a moot point however. But of course the usual 'brown' herring arises. The Maori Party want 3 Maori only seats. Why; because they (Maori) don't get voted on and, it seems, because they have been here longer!!
Being here longer is a crock. Should those who are 3rd generation get more of a vote than those who have been here only one?
I think it is demeaning that they want special treatment - it says they are not as good as Pakeha and need special help. What a load of rubbish. Winston got voted in as a Maori in a very affluent seat. A few years ago Ralph Love (Maori) was the Petone Mayor and he was defeated by George Gee (Chinese). The current Mayor of Dunedin is Chinese, the previous Mayor was Indian (Suki Turner - wife of cricketer Glenn) and so on.
Soundsold - I had a look at my other blog and the down loads. Interesting that easily the biggest at seven is Charles Trenet with La Mer followed by Lonnie Lee and his Starlight Starbright with five.
