There seems to be two repeating mantras on the prayer wheels of the economic commentariat. First, that inflation below 2 per cent is a bad thing, and second, that our dollar is too high and risks stifling exports. The argument they advance is that low inflation could mean that consumers delay purchasing stuff in the expectation prices will be cheaper in the future, thereby risking a descent into recession. The only problem with this argument is that the evidence shows it to be false. New Zealand has had very low inflation for a considerable period yet our economy bubbles along quite nicely, thank you.
In fact, the Reserve Bank should be congratulated on maintaining stable pricing. Inflation is a corrosive evil that eats at the heart of the economy. Anyone who was around when it was in the mid to high 20s knows that all too well. Try doing a business budget in that kind of turbulence.
As to the second proposition, if a low value currency was the path to GDP paradise, Somalia would be the richest nation on earth and the Swiss would be on international economic life support. Our exports are in great shape and we are enjoying lower prices on imported goods. If we work smarter, capitalising on our considerable economic advantages, we could be in the blissful situation of being over parity with the greenback (forget that low-rent currency of our near neighbours) and still enjoy an export-driven domestic boom. What's not to like?
David Morris, Hillsborough.
Useful bags
A number of letters ask for plastic bags to be banned. I have a house painting business and find plastic bags invaluable. Apart from their use in masking such things as light fittings when spray painting ceilings, they are useful for keeping painting materials in. These days, where more and more people are living in small sections and apartments, there is often nowhere to clean up brushes and rollers at the end of the day. If the job has continuity, we put the brushes and rollers in plastic bags and store them overnight in the fridge. This eliminates the need to use many litres of water for cleanup and is probably a greener option.
Lindsay Johnston, Sandringham.
Breaking the silence
Fifteen years ago, the Depot Artspace ran a youth suicide awareness exhibition at a time when conversation on the subject was almost entirely taboo. Our community had experienced a spate of suicides by young people, mainly school students, and we wanted to provide a safe, inclusive space to raise and address the issue. We worked alongside Youthline and Rainbow Youth who ran workshops and offered back-up support to young people.
Schools didn't want a bar of it, reckoned that they had it covered, or that it was not a problem on their patch.
The exhibition attracted hundreds of young people who contributed art work, added to a memory wall and wrote poems for display. On closing day, unexpectedly and spontaneously, families came along with photos of children they had lost through suicide, the first time they felt able to openly acknowledge them.
Fifteen years on, the willingness to discuss the issue is a really hopeful turnaround. This year we published a book, The Roaring Silence, whose 79 contributors have been affected by suicide in their lives. We, and every one of those contributors, know we have to keep the conversation going.
Linda Blincko, Devonport.
Price of butter
It seems ridiculous but butter is now dearer than cheese. A 1kg block of cheese may be purchased for $8.99 or less where butter is $5.49 for 500g. I guess cheese is not as popular overseas as butter. Our dairy companies should be ashamed at the price they charge local customers for butter. Maybe it is time for regulation if they will not give us a fair deal.
Mark Buckley, Botany Downs.
Long term
It was an interesting article by Jamie Morton on going green, but I'm always amused that gloom and doom temperature projections, sea level projections and all manor of other nasty things always seem to be 100 or so years in the future. Neither we nor the folks who make the predictions will be alive so for them, it's a pretty safe bet. Can Jamie comment on this? I can remember when a scientist back in the 90s projected that by 2015 our kids wouldn't know what snow was. Maybe they learned their lesson?
D. Sapiane, Tindalls Beach.
Labour's polls
It is profoundly unusual that over the last three elections it hasn't mattered who was leader of the Labour Party, that person polled badly. It seems whatever National does turns to gold, even with their one billion dollar housing bribe (when apparently there is no housing crisis), while Labour's policies turn to dust. Andrew Little must get angrier and louder to convince voters he is the best choice.
Rex Head, Papatoetoe.
Chamberlain Park
Peter Haynes, the chairman of the Albert-Eden Local Board, should spend more time listening to what the voting rate payers say rather than firing off letters to the editor criticising the likes of Stanley Palmer for having a different view. In fact, it is his failure to listen that has forced a group of Auckland citizens, including non-golfers like Stanley, to take action against the Auckland Council.
Whether the cost is $13 million or $30 million, this is still a lot of money to redevelop one of the busiest golf courses in Auckland and one that makes a profit. They are the council's numbers not ours. I note also that budgets tend to blow out on the upside.
Finally, it should be noted that restoring the polluted Meola creek, part of which runs through Chamberlain Park, is a council initiative and will happen regardless of the local Board's plans. Save Chamberlain Park Inc supports the restoration of the creek. There are many examples of golf courses fostering natural habitat and bird life and for providing public thoroughfare and access. Why not make that a starting point instead of asking ratepayers for money?
Geoff Senescall, Chairperson, Save Chamberlain Park Inc.
Train workers
A lot of companies in various types of industries and professions are looking for skilled people. What happened to on site training? How do these companies think people become skilled? Universities and trade training centres are really just the beginning of occupations. As a retired builder, I am well aware that the first year or two of employment of a person who has limited experience can cost the employer in both time and money. Nevertheless, I would suggest to correspondent Wendy MacKereth they take on an apprentice and when that person is fully qualified they then take on another one thus adding to the pool of skilled labour.
Robert Sunkel, Napier.
On seat
Who says TVNZ is not treating Toni Street with respect on Seven Sharp because she is kept out of the left-hand seat, the "unofficial captain's chair"? Walk into any aircraft cockpit and the captain is always in the left hand seat looking forward from the back of the cockpit. Toni is in the correct seat.
Louis Ingle, Hunua.
Fishing standards
How can I not be cynical when I see the Fonterra ad on TV telling me how environmentally responsible they are? And I have been somewhat mystified why the fishing industry should likewise now be telling me how environmentally responsible they are and how sustainable their fishing practices are. I now understand why I was mystified. This week, I read the two-page report entitled Tyranny On The Seas in Wednesday's Herald, explaining it all. Thank you for the article.
Neal Taylor, Okura.
