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
Articles on Riding for Disabled appreciated
I am writing to say how very much I am enjoying the weekly Riding for the Disabled articles on Wednesdays, especially reading such positive results given by those involved with the various young people - families, teachers and caregivers.
As a fairly new volunteer with RDA and having had excellent training sessions, I look forward to my weekly morning session, with well-trained staff and other volunteers, who do various tasks in the office, kitchen and around the paddocks, working with the children and horses.
I am impressed with these regular articles, featuring different children, with horses, leaders and sidewalkers, and the bonus article, featuring the horse dentist, last week.
Thank you, Bay of Plenty Times, for these continuing articles, which are informative to readers - hopefully encouraging others to know more of this rewarding interaction with these delightful children making health progress, and having fun, and for the encouragement it brings to their amazing families, teachers and caregivers.
I have observed that even one small progress forward brings such delight to the children, and to those who bring the children, but also to those of us involved at RDA, Tauranga.
As volunteers, we keep fit, have fun, and it is definitely two-way giving; seeing how horseriding can not only improve the children's physical health, but build confidence, interaction with others, and bring so much joy to their lives and ours.
Elizabeth Barrett, Matua
Zespri preferred
Re: Poll used in bid to put squeeze on Zespri (Rural News, April 20).
As a grower of kiwifruit I support the single-desk seller Zespri and say no to the attempt by Turners and Growers to dismantle a successful marketing system.
Bill Flowerday, Tauranga
Doggy don'ts
Over Easter Weekend we had several walks round the estuary on the Daisy Hardwick walk.
It was fantastic and I really enjoyed all the different aspects of our town. The new boardwalk was so great except for all the doggy doos that we had to hop, skip and jump over to avoid.
There were families riding their bikes and motorbikes and people like us just enjoying the walk, and, of course, lots of doggies. Don't get me wrong, I am a dog lover but would appreciate other dog owners picking up after their pets. We walked twice on the weekend and on the second day the doggy doos were worse. Please, please, dog owners, pick up after your dog.
Thanks.
Chris Clegg, Tauranga
Kiwifruit success
Poll used in bid to put squeeze on Zespri (Rural News, April 20).
I note with concern the online poll seeking views on the regulations that underpin the hugely successful kiwifruit industry.
Kiwifruit represents 20 per cent of the GDP in the Bay and employs some 20,000 people. The industry has had a compound annual growth of nearly 10 per cent in the last 10 years, the fastest of any primary sector in New Zealand. It is the very structure that is being questioned that has enabled this growth, which is why more than 90 per cent of growers supported it in last year's Colmar Brunton poll and want to keep it. Their living depends on it.
It is difficult to understand the purpose or value in seeking the views of the general public on this subject when they can't possibly be expected to have a reliably formed opinion or understand the complexities of the worldwide fruit marketplace. Growers well remember the debacle of the deregulated environment in the 1980s, and don't want to relive it.
This current united structure is hugely valuable to both the Bay of Plenty and New Zealand, and provides the backbone for the success of our industry and our region into the future.
Peter Ombler, President, NZ Kiwifruit Growers
Text Views
* I do not object to capable councillors receiving a small pay rise (& 0.8 % is not massive) but the problem is that too few of the current batch are capable.
* Looking fwd 2 Royal wedding. Please dont moan all of u not interested. Change channel, read a book, go 2 the movies or hav an early nite!
* I have been 2 many functions at nite and in the wkns over the last couple of years. Apart from the mayor u r lucky 2c many of our so called hard working crs.
* Bad planning letter. Just move the events to taupo no probs there to cater 4 everyone.
* Although it is not a big increase, councillors are not setting a good example when people are really hurting.very insensitive!! and a bad move. Leigh Ham
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