Letters: Gap between rich and poor continues to grow

In this country, the gap between the rich and poor continues to grow, a reader says. Photo / Getty Images

A breakfast show on TV highlighted a lady from South Auckland who had queued outside Winz from 3am for a food voucher to feed her family.

Apparently, the rent for the family home was around $600 and her benefit something like $400.

Not only was she very likely hungry but also quite possibly unable to sleep with worry.

In this country, the gap between the rich and poor continues to grow.

A country's real wealth comes through the production and trading of commodities, either manufactured or harvested.

We're told that, per capita, we have a very low production rate and there's this constant striving to start a new innovative business, and as a small isolated nation we do pretty well.

There seems to be a large sector of the workforce in what I would term non-productive activities.

All these include the health and safety compliance industry (it is an industry), local and national councillors and their inspectors, politicians, law enforcement officers, etc.

Perhaps it's time to have a significant big rethink about the value and use of the NZ workforce.

Apprenticeships, as they were 50 years ago, taught safe practices through shared experiences between the junior and senior workers.

The emphasis on practical learning and mentoring produced quality tradespeople with safe work practices. That's just one idea that could shrink the "traffic cone" workforce and potentially produce more per capita. Lots of folks have others.

John Williams
Ngongotaha

Barbaric practice

Regarding Japan's return to commercial whaling (Letters, July 10), why we have dealings with such a country baffles me but, as always, money wins over morals.

However, who are we to judge? New Zealand is pretty barbaric towards animals right here at home and there is yet to be a government willing to make significant changes.

M Martess
Sunnybrook

Lakefront development

So, the minister, Shane Jones has said okay to the lakefront development - what a pity.

This is a last-gasp from an outgoing council, something that should not be happening. We do not need it, and we cannot afford it - so why is it going on?

It has been suggested that the desperately urgent work on a new road from the airport to the town centre is far more important, in fact, it is almost critical. Any driver using that road will testify to the urgency.

The road itself is breaking up and has to be repaired (pothole filling, which lasts a week) every two weeks. How can we attract visitors and trade to the area without sustainable roads?

Jim Adams
Rotorua

The Rotorua Daily Post welcomes letters from readers. Please note the following:

• Letters should not exceed 250 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.

Email editor@dailypost.co.nz