The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Below you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.
TODAY'S LETTERS:
SPCA right to criticise kosher decision
The SPCA has come out against Minister David Carter's recent ruling in favour of "kosher killing" and rightly so. In this case he has decided that
religious superstitions are more important than animal welfare, and has chosen expediency over principle.
His "cultural" argument is, as far as I can tell, the same argument that allows the cruel practice of bullfighting to continue in Spain.
As Simon Bridges has established some profile on the issue of preventing cruelty to animals, it would be helpful if he could inform BOP Times readers whether he supports Mr Carter (and Mr Key, one would have to presume) in this policy of allowing cruelty to animals for "cultural" reasons.
If you are not happy with Mr Carter's decision, you might like to send an email to: david.carter@national.org.nz
R RIMMER Tauranga
Bad, unjust Bill
Chris Finlayson's response to the Coastal Coalition's questions and answers about the Marine and Coastal Area Bill is beautiful as an exercise in obfuscation.
A point that he avoids is the bill's intent. The intent of the bill is to pass a value from one party to another party. It is a simple fact that if you pass or take a value from a party, place, group or person, then that value is lost to that party, place, group or person. Finlayson will pass that value to a small group of people, thus depriving all but a few New Zealanders of the original value.
If this is not the intent of the bill, then there is no point to the bill and it should be withdrawn.
If it is the intent of this bill then it makes it a bad and unjust bill, a bill that will cause division between the people of New Zealand and it should be withdrawn.
I feel I should make it absolutely clear I am not a member of the Coastal Coalition.
R HALE Tauranga
Long waiting lists
Re: Wonderful care while at our city hospital (Your View, Nov 25).
I'm sure that is true, however you have to actually be able to get in there first.
Three months ago I had an accident at work which ACC will not cover even though I need surgery.
The advice I now have from my medical people is to forget the public hospital, as it may take 12 months before I can have the operation, and go private.
Amazingly, I will be in within two weeks (less a third of my wages for the year that it will cost).
Which leads me to reason for writing. I have watched Tauranga Hospital grow over the years with more car parks, better offices, helipads and a magnificent entrance sign not attached to building.
During this empire-building the waiting lists are growing longer. Remember Sir Humphrey and the award winning hospital (no patients treated there) in the TV series Yes Minister? I used to laugh (I can't cause it hurts) but it's so true now.
P DILLON Tauranga
Outstanding care
On behalf of my late husband and our family, I would like to say a few words in praise of our often maligned health service. My husband struggled with kidney disease for 20 years, during which time our health professionals were just that.
With remarkably few glitches (usually administrative), he received outstanding care and kindness throughout, and I am proud to be a citizen of a country which has the humanity to take care of its people in this way.
An enormous thank you to the staff of Tauranga and Waikato Hospitals, and latterly to the truly astonishing people of Waipuna Hospice, Tauranga. Bless you all.
(MRS) B JOHNSTON Tauranga
Here's a pointer
Re: Mauao compass. As a keen climber of Mauao, I am so grateful that the Tauranga City Council maintains the tracks in good condition and recently built a new platform to provide a good view of the town and its great ocean beach.
However, often I am asked on the summit by a tourist of a cruise ship passenger to point out, say, Mayor and/or White Islands, or where is the Coromandel Peninsula or the direction to Auckland.
For the benefit of all climbers, tourists or otherwise, I have requested our council to place a very informative compass on the summit and that it take, as an example, the great and fully informative compass which is on the top of Mt Victoria in Devonport on Auckland's North Shore.
That compass is outstanding and provides all the information an inquiring visitor thereto needs to know.
JOHN DAVIS Mount Maunganui
Who checks checkers
One week after receiving a new Certificate of Fitness some years ago, I discovered the rear bumper/tow bar on my taxi van was loose on the left-hand side. Once discovered it was repaired immediately.
Had I towed a trailer with it loose? Three days after getting a new COF on another taxi I had it was inspected by NZTA and two minor faults were found. They were repaired immediately.
One day after having brake work done on my taxi, by a reputable mechanic, I discovered one of the left hand brake caliper mounting bolts missing. It was replaced immediately.
I am not a mechanic yet in two of the above cases I found the faults after so-called experts had done their thing, or not.
If we drivers, not just taxi drivers, cannot trust testing stations or apparently reputable mechanics, how are we to know if our vehicles are safe or not? If we are to generalise up to 99 per cent of vehicles on BoP roads are unsafe!
(Abridged) ROB MORRIS Matua
Grey requiem
Requiem - For Twenty-Nine
Grey Grey - The River Flows
Grey Grey - The River Joins The Seth
On The Land - Church Bells Toll
For The Men - Twenty-Nine Of Them
Grey Gulls - Cry For Them - A Requiem
Greys Lost Men - All Twenty-Nine Of Them
Grey The River - Grey The Sea - Grey The Day
Grey Mourns - The Twenty-Nine - Gone Away
Grey Grey the Sea - Grey - The Misty Sky
Far Away - A Land - We Cannot See
Rest The Men - All Twenty Nine Of Them
Toll The Bells - Greys-Grey Gulls - Cry For Them
B P DAVIS Tauranga
TODAY'S TEXTS:
* Nurses training just one example of racism alive and well in nz. A scandal really but it wont stop until non-maori make some noise.
* Do rest homes not care who they employ. Where was the police check. Where was the duty of care. All 2 late when the damage is done
* I agree Cr murray Guy has been absent since the election but it is the turkey season so probably a wise decision considering his comments after the election.
* The courts should ease up on Phil Rudd over a handfull of grass. Pot's not so bad. This is AC/DC we're talking about. AC/DC!
* Eva Bradley Rocks. straight talkin Kiwi. Go girl.
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