The question (a disaster if there ever was one) is - 'Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in N. Z.'
The theory you would think that if you vote Yes if you favour a smack; No if you don't. But the question is put the other way around.
I voted YES. The Herald poll shows over 80% will vote No.
I have concerns about the people behind the referendum. They seem to have a lot of money and I think have an almost American style evangelical background. However, the main point is the law that is now in place.
They say the new law is not clear, that parents are confused. But the law is clear.
"Every parent of a child, and every person in the place of a parent of a child, is justified in using force if the force used is reasonable in the circumstances and is for the purpose of:
a) preventing or minimising harm to the child or another person; or
b) preventing the child from engaging or continuing to engage in conduct that amounts to a criminal offence; or
c) preventing the child from engaging or continuing to engage in offensive or disruptive behaviour; or
d) performing the normal daily tasks that are incidental to good care and parenting."
Would the Police take action against a parent for a light smack to stop a child running across a road or putting a finger near a light socket? Of course not and that has been borne out by the facts since the law was passed, notwithstanding propaganda to the contrary.
Anyway as the Prime Minister has said, they will ignore the referendum whaich is what they should do.
Guns: As I type this the Aramoana shooting film 'Out of the blue' is on TV. About 30 recommendations came out of the Judge's enquiry. How many were enacted. None. The gun lobby is as strong here as the USA.
