Those to whom evil is done

By Chris Trotter*It requires a considerable imaginative effort to understand the behaviour of the Christchurch Mongrel Mob. Commandeering Christchurch hospital carparks. These were certainly the questions uppermost in the minds of those who heard the reports of the Christchurch Mongrel Mob’s behaviour on RNZ, and/or read about it in the press. Are those in command of the New Zealand state even willing to ask these questions? Auden, contained in his eve-of-war poem “September 1 1939” is, once again, confirmed:I and the public knowWhat all schoolchildren learn,Those to whom evil is doneDo evil in return.