The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Here you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.
Contrast in tales of two babies
On reading the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend (November 26), I notice the juxtaposition of morals and standards regarding the fate of some children in New Zealand.
The page 3 beauty was a much-longed for child for a couple who had been waiting for her for 27 years.
She will be a cherished and much-loved child.
The column of Susan Devoy relates a totally opposite scenario, with the death of the unfortunate JJ, whose mother is already producing another one.
There has been talk for years of how to prevent these tragedies and nothing changes.
I often think of the haunted eyes in the photo of Lillybing - she was a child who lived in fear and it showed.
Throwing more money at the problem will not fix it as love for your child comes from the heart and not the purse.
(Abridged)
Robin Bishop, Pyes Pa
Holy smoke
I am not a smoker but I thought that the headline, City to shame smokers, (News, November 26) required a comment.
The mayor states that, should the policy be introduced, it will not be illegal to smoke in public areas but that signs will be erected in public areas and smokers shamed if they light up ... unreal.
What planet is this mayor on?
Firstly, he and his council are now endeavouring to dictate what people can do on land that is technically owned by the residents and along the way, deny freedom of choice. Secondly, there is the installation of what could be hundreds of signs, with that cost fully met by ratepayers.
Surely this must just be a diversionary ploy to divert our attention from some other council bad news item?
Could it be the council has exceeded the 250 per cent debt envelope? Or to save money the downtown carpark buildings are also going to be closed, along with all the waterfront parking? Or maybe the Mount Hot pools have sprung yet another leak?
Could I suggest that the mayor and council concentrate on matters that really affect us, rather than trying to invent more?
Mike Baker, Bethlehem
Farm chemicals
Re Graeme Peters of Agcarm's comments (Rural News, November 17). The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is inviting public submission on the level of protection that data supporting new uses of agricultural chemicals already registered in New Zealand should have.
We are also already working to remove any unnecessary regulatory barriers. Funding has been granted through the Sustainable Farming Fund for a three-year industry-driven study to identify ways chemicals can be registered and used on minor crops, and MAF staff are on the project team.
In addition, MAF continues to work internationally to ensure we maximise the use of existing international data.
This includes through Codex, in a joint World Health Organisation and Food and Agriculture Organisation international standards-setting body, with the OECD, and through a range of information sharing agreements.
Mr Peters tells only one side of the story.
In developing the proposals we are consulting on, we have sought to balance the need for chemical manufacturers to recover their investment with the benefits that competition provides to farmers and other users.
We encourage anyone with a view on this topic to make a submission on the discussion paper, which can be found on our website: www.maf.govt.nz.
This will ensure we take into account all relevant perspectives when developing recommendations for the Government. Submissions close December 15.
Wayne McNee, Director General, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
When writing to us, please note the following:
Opponents say the changes will make it harder to successfully bring pay equity claims.