There are two things that strike me about the current situation in this country.
The first is that Government needs to grab hold of this opportunity to show that its real concern is for our nation and our people and to enlist the help and suggestions of experts across the political spectrum.
This is not a time for cheap political shots from either main party or for anyone else as we face a crisis unprecedented within the past three generations.
We have a large slice of usually productive farmland under severe drought conditions as well as a health crisis in the form of Covid-19.
Britain came up with a "War Cabinet" under a strong, committed leader, Winston Churchill, in 1939 and laid aside all political allegiances to focus on the common enemy and enlisted the help and expertise of all sectors including the church whose prayer response was crucial.
Secondly, these crises show the foolishness of a society that lives way beyond its means in that we all live on credit and have almost nothing for the "rainy day" that our forefathers wisely saved.
Many businesses will collapse and the repercussions will be felt for years to come.
(Abridged)
John Williams
Ngongotahā
Banging the drums
It would appear to me from your report (News, March 20) that certain councillors regard this virus as little more than a platform on which to bang their tired old drums.
In my opinion, the introduction of a pandemic into our lives is no excuse to complain about the council's financial policy.
The rates we pay are the price of the prosperity we enjoy and this virus emergency would be a lot worse in the hands of those who seem to know the price of everything but the value of nothing.
Mike Byrne
Springfield
The Rotorua Daily Post welcomes letters from readers. Please note the following:
• Letters should not exceed 200 words.
• They should be opinion based on facts or current events.
• If possible, please email.
• No noms-de-plume.
• Letters will be published with names and suburb/city.
• Please include full name, address and contact details for our records only.
• Local letter writers given preference.
• Rejected letters are not normally acknowledged.
• Letters may be edited, abridged, or rejected at the Editor's discretion.
• The Editor's decision on publication is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• Letters may be used in other NZME publications.
Email editor@dailypost.co.nz