Attitudes to Security

Putting aside entirely all references to recent litigation Mr Marshall (an ex-Prime Minister and a qualified lawyer) spoke recently in general terms on the laudible functions of the New Zealand Security Service in preserving democracy and putting-down subversion, (He was on television).

Throughout the interview he kept using the word as if it was a perniciously-defective mouse trap or a corrosive toothpaste that should be instantly put off the market by all right-thinking citizens.

As I listened to him, I pondered whimsically on the late Bertrand Russell whom I understand was awarded the Nobel Prize a few years ago for resolutely persisting in the very activities that appeared to annoy Mr Marshall so distinctly.

In my opinion viewers these days are weary of inflammatory linguistics. New Zealanders are not illiterate; they have dictionaries on their shelves - and pressed hard enough - they will use them too. Perhaps Louis Pasteur was a 'subversive' in his day, and some Catholics think much the same about the late Pope John. I would like to take this opportunity to remind Mr Marshall that he should pause to thank sundry robust and fearless 'subversives' among his forebears in the British legal and Parliamentary system that he had the right to articulate in front of that television lens.