“no Moral Utopia” (Press, 28 August 1985)
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Summary: “no Moral Utopia” (Press, 28 August 1985)
In a series of letters published in response to an editorial titled “No moral Utopia,” various individuals expressed their concerns regarding societal morals and values. Jill Wilcox emphasised that those who pride themselves on their righteousness can be more damaging to society than those who acknowledge their imperfections. She argued that a healthy society relies on its citizens’ capacity for growth, love, and creativity, encouraging acceptance of differences rather than judgement. Eelen Priestley voiced alarm over the potential coalition of moral groups threatening the freedoms women have gained over the last century. She warned that complacency following the Decade for Women could lead to a regression to outdated legal conditions like coverture, where married women had no legal identity apart from their husbands. Priestly called for vigilance among women to protect their rights and recognised the ongoing struggle for gender equality. Neville M. Rush critiqued journalists and editorials for neglecting objective truth and accused them of ignoring the concerns of the conservative majority. He claimed that crime and violence are rising due to society’s abandonment of traditional values such as honesty and loyalty. Rush argued that while there is no expectation of achieving perfection through politics, it is crucial for political power to serve the nation’s good rather than be exercised by those he termed immoral, seeking to impose a godless philosophy. The letters reflect a broader societal debate regarding morality, individual freedoms, and the influence of traditional values in New Zealand during 1985.
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