Letters: Water wheel of bureaucracy turns slowly

Whanganui's water-free public library. Couldn't the council splash out?

Long time dry

The wheels of bureaucracy indeed turn slowly, if council's response to the installation of a water fountain at the Whanganui District Library is any indication. (Chronicle, March 20).

Complaints similar to those of Peter Watson were expressed in the Wanganui Herald nearly 140 years ago, although it was more the abstention of liquor than sugary drinks that occupied the mind of the Herald's cynical reporter.

"We have heard the wish several times expressed by the habitues that the town library and reading room possessed arrangements for quenching the natural thirst of visitors as well as their thirst for knowledge. In similar institutions in other towns there is generally a large filter and several glasses placed in some convenient position where those who need may help themselves to a drink of water.

"If our local institute were similarly provided, it would no doubt be largely availed of and might often prevent a visit to the adjacent taverns. The water would help down the dry reading to be found in the building, to say nothing of its effect on the dust accumulated in the throats of visitors while getting there." (Wanganui Herald: January 2, 1879).

At least the council's horse-drawn water cart went some small way towards relieving the latter problem.

MURRAY CRAWFORD
Whanganui

Air NZ fiasco

The recent fiasco between Air New Zealand and the provinces can be solved by the Commerce Commission warning Air New Zealand that, in the event that those routes become highly profitable for new airlines, any under-pricing new venture will be seen as anti-competitive.

When in the past a new airline has impacted on Air New Zealand's perceived monopoly, they have attacked them without mercy, driving them out of the market.

It is important that stops if people are going to risk their money to offer a service.

CHRISTODOULOS MOISA
Durie Hill

Managing plastic bags

I add my voice to that of Valerie Bing and Frank Greenall ( March 15) in their despair at the continuing prevalence of plastic bags.

The supermarkets and other stores continue to churn them out and at the rate we are going we will all be eating a diet of plastic intermingled with other substances. How does that appeal?

A multi-pronged approach is needed. Banning the issue of them in shops is step number one. But on a personal level we can make rules for ourselves that don't totally prevent their use. (Let's face it, they are extremely handy and very light if you have hand or wrist problems, as I have).

1) Never dispose of any in the landfill. (I have saved them for many years, that being my first step in preventing them from reaching the sea.)

2) Wash and reuse them — in the dishwater is the easiest .

3) Keep a supply in the car, in your handbag or pocket.

4) Take fabric bags with you when you know you are going to carry home large items or collections of items. (I have several of those too.)

5) Store them until a reliable method of recycling is found, up in the attic, if necessary.

6) Always refuse them in shops.

It's just changing your mindset.

JULIA MOODIE
Whanganui

Wrong drug?

F.R. Halpin has listed the bad effects of cannabis.

He thought he was on an anti-cannabis website, but got the Alcohol Advisory Board by mistake, as he has presented all the bad effects that can come from alcohol consumption.

I do hope, for his own sake, he is not a tippler but look forward to his campaign to get alcohol banned.

G.R. SCOWN
Whanganui

No small splinter

In response to Hugh Rennie, QC, (Letters, March 9): Right to Life is not a tiny Christchurch-based splinter of the former SPUC. Right to Life is an incorporated society. Formerly SPUC, registered in the 1970s, it was formerly affiliated with the National SPUC and was disaffiliated in 2002.

It has a national membership in excess of 800 members. Mr Rennie questions Right to Life's reference to our creator.

The constitution of Right to Life has among its objects "to uphold and protect the inalienable God-given right to life of all human beings from conception to natural death, and to vigorously promote the statutory recognition of the unborn child as a human being endowed with an inalienable right to life".

The right to life is a human rights issue; it is not a religious issue. The defence of the unborn requires that we recognise that our human rights are given to us by our creator at conception.

We cannot be truly free if the state fails to recognise that our human rights are universal and inalienable. Being inalienable, they may not be taken from us, nor may we give them up.

It is indeed sad that the legal profession is not at the forefront in the defence of the unborn.

KEN ORR
Right to Life, Christchurch

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