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
No need for British monarchy in society
The cost of the upcoming royal wedding to the British public (World, March 16) and recent letters in your newspaper about how the money would be better spent on repairing Christchurch have caused me to question why do we, and by we, I mean all countries who retain the monarchy at all?
Those who argue that we retain the monarchy say that they "set an example" to their subjects. They are meant to be leaders.
Now they are merely puppets, who are told what to do by the the governments who have the monarch as head of state.
Yet Christchurch is in tatters, and as one of your readers suggested that the royal wedding be downgraded to a family affair (not unlike Prince Charles and Lady Camilla) with proceeds going to a fallen city in devastation, that they are the head of state was appropriate. And what about the the small businesses in Britain that have to pay a day's wages to their people for doing nothing?
Come on folks, we pay for politicians and public servants out of our hard earned taxes.
Why burden citizens of taxpaying democracies with the additional cost of people who cut ribbons, make prepared speeches and wave at crowds.
Let's just have a president who is both head of state and head of government.
As a "Christian" nation it does say in the 10 commandments "thou shalt not worship graven images". Have you checked your coins lately?
(Abridged) Matty Kete, Bethlehem
Car fumes pollute
General manager Ervin McSweeney announces Baypark Stadium is to be smokefree saying "we have a responsibility to promote a healthy message to our patrons including children and young people" - who will continue inhaling lungfuls of toxic carcinogens from speedway car exhaust and unburned fuel fumes together with terracotta clay dust.
Mr McSweeney's pious concerns about the health of stadium customers are hypocrisy. Solution? Relocate speedway to the Pyes Pa all-terrain park where the only things they will gas are possums.
Perry Harlen, Mount Maunganui
Tsunami lifeboats
While chatting with a friend a few days ago, particularly about tsunamis, and the difficulty she would have in getting from Papamoa to higher ground, I said "get a lifeboat".
This was said jokingly but on reflection, I could see some sense in the idea. Instead of having some chrome-plated "fizzy boat" on a trailer in the backyard it seems to me that a well-equipped, strongly built totally enclosed lifeboat of aluminium construction, still mounted on a trailer but with a long warp secured to a well buried anchor, would offer a good chance of survival.
Look at some of the smaller merchant ships calling at Tauranga with stern launching ramps and you might see the possibility in their boat type.
Bill Hay, Tauranga
Take action
Action is needed now on sirens (Our View, March 17). Yes, action is needed but don't count on the council to do anything. The more we ask of local government, the more willing they are to help, but we can do better ourselves.
Our rates money is already squandered on protocols and pipelines that are of no use to the city so is it no surprise that the tsunami system is not operating yet - the only answer is to ringfence city hall and do it ourselves - or at least appeal directly to central government with a complaint that the Tauranga City Council is guilty of dereliction of regulated responsibilities to ratepayers then we'll see some action ... who's with me?
Steve Callagher, Tauranga
Warning system
An effective tsunami warning system has been in discussion way before the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
More than six years down the track and several tsunami warnings later we are not any further. How much money and time are we going to waste on more consultation and advice?
It is time for the council to end the "Talkfest" in this regard and start acting especially since the council plans to put up lots more housing along here in the not so distant future.
I am sure that just about everyone along the coastal strip wants an effective and operating warning system right now. Be that a siren or any other system. Is it really that hard?
If sirens are not effective or too expensive would it not be possible, in this day and age and with all the technology we all already have, to tap into the phone system somehow and ring every single phone in the affected area and play a recorded warning and advice message?
Marco Fuchser, Papamoa East
Text Views
* Im from chch and yes been in tauranga 22 years and bad attitudes, hell yes. One of the reasons im going back to the mainland.
* Yes its not the workers fault but the owner for if u ask for a small bit of adhesive tap they say no its the property of nzpost and you can not use it
* People died and she wont buy cellotape who cares about the loss of house what bout loss of lives!!
* TV camera coverage of speeches @ Memorial service disgraceful where were the 2 sign language persons? Not good enough 4 those watching @ home
* Council needs 2 consider subsidising parking 2 encourage people 2 city, not money on making waterfront pretty.
* Sick of short sighted motorists/motorcyclists bashing cyclists, you try riding on the shoulder of road where you have pot holes, glass. Bits of metal and you think we should pay acc. Get real
* The best and really only system that does work is the Sirens!
When writing to us, please note the following:
- Letters should not exceed 200 words
- If possible, please email or use the 'Have your Say' option on the website
- No noms-de-plume
- Please include your address and phone number (for our records only)
- Letters may be abridged, edited or refused at the editor's discretion
- The editor's decision to publish is final. Rejected letters are usually not acknowledged
Email:
Text: 021 439 968
