The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Here you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.
TODAY'S LETTERS
NZ needs to understand education's in deep hole
Re Drop hysteria over National Standards (Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, March 19).
I can't let Merle Braithwaite's views go unchallenged. They show no understanding of under-achievement as an issue. National Standards ignores what Nuthall found - all teachers employ an "inherently inefficient" learning process, so every student under-achieves. Setting guidelines, benchmarks, standards - call them what you will - can't and won't make that flawed learning process efficient.
National Standards' best scenario sees some students benefit through getting extra attention. In its worst, a lot of pressure will land on teachers, students, parents and resources for little gain. As a strategy for lifting student performance across the board, arguably the major issue in education today, it misses the mark completely.
We're talking massive inefficiency here, all suffer. Half the learning capacity of the nation's young goes undeveloped. Of that loss, what the "bottom fifth" incurs is minor by comparison, what the other four fifths incurs is three times greater. Philosophically, it always pays handsomely to know plenty about any hole you're trying to dig your way out of.
Laurie Loper, Tauranga
Wait for marriage
Interesting to read the letter by Don Campbell (Your View, March 15). Comments that parents have no guidelines as to when, if ever, do they start letting boyfriends and girlfriends share the night in your child's bed.
In my culture, and many others, the answer is "after marriage". In New Zealand's culture, where the desire of the young people is paramount, it is when they wish. Parents have no say and, of course, cannot physically restrain them or give them a good clout under the ear.
Just recognise that our Nanny state allows children as young as 7 or 8 to do exactly as they please on the threat of making a complaint of abuse by parents.
Rahim Buksh, Cherrywood
Alert from above
A friend who is involved in Civil Defence down on the Kapiti Coast told me about using a siren slung under a helicopter. The idea sounded pretty good to me as a couple of them can operate from both ends of the Mount and Papamoa and zigzag their way up and down the coastal properties.
Luckily, we've had hours and hours of warnings so far but if an earthquake and tsunami happens locally then we're up the creek.
Another idea from Kapiti is that all roads become one-way exits, although how on earth they'd manage that as they're in a worse position than we are with, only No1 highway.
And I have to ask the question of all those who are prepared for disaster. Where do you keep your supplies? Hopefully, not in an inside cupboard.
Joye Adams, Mount Maunganui
No free ride?
You ran an article about the war of words between Bob Clarkson and Simon Bridges concerning the controversial 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act and its current version, the Marine and Coastal Bill (Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, March 19).
There is one word missing in the new legislation and that is in the last clause, "Public access is guaranteed".
The missing word is "free"
Robin Bishop, Pyes Pa
Toeing Nats' line
Re War of words over seabed bill (Bay of Plenty Times, March 19).
Bob Clarkson is not wrong when he claims Tauranga's MP, Simon Bridges, is toeing the party line. The absolute silence from all National party members in the preceding 18 months over the proposed Marine and Coastal Area bill is a predetermined stance frequently used in the political arena to achieve legislation that will be disadvantageous to the majority of New Zealand citizens.
I can only believe that John Key has issued a blanket silence on his MPs on the proposed bill. Many of my friends from other regions have received in response to their objections on the bill, letters from their MPs that mirror the asinine response that we in Tauranga have received from MPs Simon Bridges and Tony Ryall.
They tell us we "don't understand" and that we "have not read the bill", wrong in both instances. It would be my feeling that many MPs have not actually read the whole bill and have little understanding of the consequences over time of what they are proposing to legislate for.
The report from the Maori Party - "Keeping our Promise" Maori Party Feb 2011 - is a document that clearly states what is about to be given to corporate iwi and Maori elite, not the impoverished Maori who are our friends, relatives and workmates.
Clarkson speaks for a large number of National Party voters.\
Maureen J Anderson, Pyes Pa
Mind the prickles
Re: Spectators pelted with speedway debris (Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, March 19).
It's very simple, really. If you don't like the fact that you may get hit with some clay while watching the speedway, go and watch some lawn bowls, but look out for the prickles in the grass.
I attend most of the Baypark speedway meetings and would have to say that Willie Kay and his team do a great job. Yeah, I get dust in my eyes and hit by clay, too, but that's the risk I take when I go to Baypark. If I didn't like it, I would stay home. I sure as hell wouldn't go crying to the press.
Craig Lacy, Otumoetai
Store closure sad
Re: Closure of 100 Guinness Appliances (News, March 18).
How sad to read that our local landmark appliance store is being forced to close its doors.
For the last 38 years, we have received personalised service, above and beyond the call of duty, from an obliging and knowledgeable staff.
In all honesty, we can say that every appliance we have, whiteware or electronic, has been purchased from this company.
Their willingness to do a deal and provide excellent back-up service is unsurpassed.
We remember with fondness, the long gone days of Gaff Foster and Ron Sinclair, always with a ready smile on their faces at the Mount store, to the current persona of 100 per cent Guinness Appliances, Errol Hotham, an enigmatic, personable person.
Supposedly cheaper prices, and time-payment options are one thing, but personal service, a laugh, a joke and a caring concern are another.
We know which we prefer.
Thank you to 100 per cent Guinness Appliances, for excellent customer service and some great memories. We will be sad to see you go.
Jenny and Lyle Griggs, Bayfair
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