Tax as deterrent
Why doesn't the Government tax the bad stuff that costs the country megabucks in healthcare daily, instead of taxing essential and healthy items such as petrol, fresh fruit and vegetables,
They could reap megabucks from greatly increasing the prices in the way of taxing alcohol, takeaways, tobacco, sugary drinks, sweets, cakes and biscuits, and fat-filled foods which are non-essential to survival. But, of course, this is way too logical for politicians' way of thinking.
Marie Kaire
Ngararatunua
Whangarei
Survey costs
Interesting to read Phil Heatley's electorate survey. Not the survey itself but the cost of the survey.
About $5000 for the postal costs and $2000 for adverts. Total $7000. Why then did the Whangarei District Council quote figures of between $20,000 to $30,000 when a number of ratepayers wanted a survey or referendum on the Hundertwasser?
More creative accounting or simply another excuse for "we know best"?
L Craig
Whangarei
Cats strike back
What an ironic situation we have at Paihia. A kind lady is looking after 10 "feral" (dumped by humans) cats that she has had neutered/spayed, vet-checked and vaccinated, feeding them daily and finding them new homes when the opportunity arises.
The Far North District Council, at the urging of their mayor, has dismantled the feeding station and forbidden this kindly soul from caring for her beloved cats; cats whose only sin was to have had a previous irresponsible owner who chose to abandon them in the wild without any thought
What contrasting examples of human nature: one who would destroy an abandoned pet and the other showing compassion and kindness for animals in need of help. The irony of it all is that the Far North is now experiencing a serious infestation of rodents. Perhaps this is nature's way of saying "karma".
Judith Morgan
Maungaturoto
Put it to vote
The Advocate (June 30) correctly points out which councillors voted for and against the Hundertwasser last May. Perhaps I could mention another vote. The project is on important public land and involves public money. Cr Williams, supported by Crs McLachlan, Edwards, Deeming, Martin and Christie, proposed a referendum to assess this. The majority voted to remain ignorant. Cr McLachlan commissioned a telephone poll, which showed opponents of the Hundertwasser outnumbered supporters by three to one. If Whangarei District Council dislikes telephone polls, it is still not too late for a referendum.
Paul Berks
Whangarei