Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Good for him

Judge Flatley deserves more than just a mention but I can at least give him that, as did the Taranaki Daily News;

Judge Dominic Flatley this week convicted three Wanaka shop owners for trading during last Easter – as this curious law dictated that he must – but levied no fine. He could have demanded $1000 from each on the admitted charges, but Judge Flatley would also have been aware that the fine, which has not been altered since 1980, is slowly fading into insignificance by inflation. One thousand dollars is still enough to give a nettle-sting, but the real significance of his waiver is that the courts – because others will surely follow the judge's precedent – have taken the lead in ridding the statute books of an unfair, complicated and pointless relic.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmm I don't disagree with the lack of penalty imposed.

And by my nature I disagree with the Government interfering in how people manage their businesses.

But I also hold Good Friday and Easter Sunday has the two most sacred days in the Christian Calendar and would like for them to remain sacred, held aside for their original purpose.

We had a major discussion on this a few weeks ago over at Sir Humphrey's.

Post Christian New Zealand holidays?

Rick said...

Leaving asside the whole 'judge-made' law thing, that's fairly jolly keen.

Anonymous said...

But I also hold Good Friday and Easter Sunday has the two most sacred days in the Christian Calendar and would like for them to remain sacred, held aside for their original purpose."

By enforceing them upon non Christians? The state has no business imposing the religious belifs of one group upon any other...if Christians wish to observe their holy days then thats fine with me...but leave me alone when it happens. I will do what I wish to do with those who choose to interact with me...so butt out!

Anonymous said...

James I agree with you the State has no business forcing religious views on you.

But they are religious holidays nevertheless.

The only consistant and honourable position for you to take is to say no more Easter holdidays - dispense with the four day weekend at
Easter for everybody.

To take a religious holiday at your employers expense is rank hypocrisy ever the more so if you would deny others (many of whom do hold religious sensibilites) the same in order to pander to your insatiable need to go shopping.