Letters: Dental work needs subsidies

There is much to do about the state of the nation lately; protests, groups, recommendations from almost everyone about everything and yet no one appears to be addressing the main issue - health.

Many Kiwis appear to be suffering from some disability, health issue, or are in need of surgical remedy, many are elderly and many more are infants, but right across the whole nation, one factor is contributing more to health issues than any other - dental work.

We are what we eat! either too much, too little or not enough of the right stuff - all of it gets into our system through our mouths and that is where most of the trouble starts.

Dentistry is so expensive in NZ that few are able to afford it. Funding is available for sight, hearing and almost every type of surgery except teeth. Without good teeth nothing in the human body will work right.

If Jacinda wants to really get this country back on its feet this is where she should start, at the sharp end!

Jim Adams
Rotorua

I can well understand the council trying to save manpower with the new parking meters but this time I think they have gone over the top.

A large proportion of the inhabitants have grey hair, including our councillors, and the new parking system has created a real problem for oldies.

The meters are not kind to the shortsighted, by the time you find a meter you have forgotten your number plate, where you park the meter will not take coins, when and if you get it to work you have to remember how long you have paid for.

This is what occurs when councils abrogate their responsibility to an outside firm.

I am old enough to remember the council meeting when councillor Frank Salt moved the introduction of meters to the city. He announced in a thundering voice that these meters were not to make money, were to help fair parking, would be easy to use and would help parking for all, including the elderly.

Thank goodness there are some of us old enough to remember the council's promises.

Alf Hoyle
Lynmore

During the run-up to the last election, Winston Peters and others were saying that they would review GST on basic food items. For some reason, the subject has gone very quiet.

Another politician said that it was much too hard to tax some food items and not others.

Well, it can't be too hard because the Aussies have done it!

I bought some groceries the other day. I spent $68, which included some wine. I later looked at the receipt and compared the exact items, if bought in Australia.

NZ GST was $7.07, Aussie GST would have been 36 cents.

I believe we are being over-taxed in this country.

John Currie
Ngongotahā
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