The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Below you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.
THIS WEEKEND'S LETTERS:
Confirmation wanted
The letter of M Wilson (Times, May 28) raises questions about the rights of Maori to charge for access to the foreshore. The mayor of Northland obviously has similar concerns.
Could our local MP, who has previously said there is no restriction to access, confirm that to be the current position.
Could he also explain how Lt Col Mara, a serving army officer of Fiji and instrumental in the 2006 coup, can be granted political asylum?
Stuart Keene, Otumoetai
Bred for purpose
There are "dangerous breeds" of dogs out there, they were bred for a purpose, and now are found in the cities, not in the country or as hunting dogs as they may have been bred to do so.
Sadly many kids are getting hurt by a minority of dogs, mostly mixed breeds, maybe more of an education from their parents about approaching any dogs would be better than killing any dogs that are deemed "dangerous".
Yes, pit-bull type dogs have sharp teeth, but they were bred for hunting/killing, not as a family pet. Alsatian breeds were also bred as a hunter/killer, yet the police use them as a tool to bring down people ... should these dogs be banned too?
I think more emphasis should be on education about dogs, not on a vigilante movement to kill any dog deemed dangerous.
Michelle Major, Tauranga
Free parking
I'm glad that parking will at last be free in downtown Tauranga on Saturdays. Last Saturday, I received one of three $40 tickets given to the only three cars parked in Harington St.
You would think that the warden would use his discretion and not bother ticketing an otherwise empty street. Harington St is almost always empty before 5pm as is The Strand North carpark.
If it's revenue the council wants why not halve the charges and watch people start to park in the northern Strand area again.
John Douglas, Tauranga
Well done, Bob
I also attended the Don Brash meeting organised by Bob Clarkson and I have to say well done, Bob. The meeting was not the usual political meeting where the speaker bashes every other candidate/party with snide remarks and innuendos. Dr Brash spoke cohesively and without rancour. He kept his message succinct and completely consumable by the attending public, something that "dyed in the wool" politicians are not known to do.
I agree with Lloyd Christie when he opines that it is not he who has changed, it is the John Key-led National Government that has changed dramatically from the political stance they expounded in opposition and in their campaign prior to the 2008 elections.
Key's government have seriously compromised New Zealand's future wealth with the Marine and Coastal Area Bill and he has used the past three years in polishing his personal political persona to the detriment of all New Zealand citizens.
Simon Bridges declares he "does not recall being asked to vote against" the M&CA bill.
Another political answer that belies the ability for politicians to tell the truth. I challenge Mr Bridges to substantiate his claim of having trebled the party's membership since 2008.
Maureen J Anderson, Pyes Pa
Welfare reform
Your editorial on welfare reform treads on important, but hazardous territory.
The spectre of a "heated right/left wing battle" will provide an exciting election debate, but runs the risk of sowing fear and alienation around the society. Although John Key's statement was strongly put, his clear concerns were for the right outcomes for all.
How this is to be achieved, however, was far from clear, and needs to be developed transparently. There is certainly scope for much abuse in the process. However, Sue Bradford's fighting words are very destructive of any rational debate and effective understanding of the issues. In the meantime, it would do the media well to promote discussion rather than highlight conflict.
Gray Southon, Tauranga
Disabled access
Re: Our View: Cooled hot pools require early fix.
It is more than time that there was money spent on the hot pool upgrade.
Making it available for disabled people.
Disband TECAL and put a manager in to run the complex.
C Hales, Mount Maunganui
Four-hour reward
This offer (free parking on Saturdays) is an absolute insult to the intelligence of the business people in the CBD.
Our clients were paying for 44 hours of parking and now they are paying for 40 hours, a four-hour reward for being loyal.
This has been given to them on the retailer's busiest day of the week - when parking is at a premium anyway.
The next stage will be to suggest they are having a lot of complaints about lack of parking on Saturdays and then they will decide to reinstate parking charges.
The experts need to stop reading their textbooks and start with listening to the CBD business people personally.
Then they will get an entirely different view of the problems facing the city centre.
The council and their controlled organisations, including Mainstreet management, think this a good outcome but none of these people have a personal involvement in the city centre apart from the wages paid to them by the ratepayer.
Another 12 months with the economy in its present state will see more businesses fall by the wayside because the council refuses to be a responsible organisation and give their customers some form of relief in these tough times.
Bill Campbell, Tauranga
Correction
A letter to the editor from Bob Sweetman which was published on Thursday June 2 incorrectly stated that David Stewart attended the Mount Hot Pools meeting on Sunday June 29. Catherine Stewart in fact attended the meeting. The error was introduced during the editing process.
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