Letters: Plan to restrict sign chaos is sensible

Laws limit political campaign signs to a few weeks prior to elections. Photo/File

I refer to the letter from Reynold Macpherson about Plan Change 5 (Letters, December 28).

It is ridiculous for him to imply that Plan Change 5 is a dark plot to curtail freedom of speech. An unbiased reading shows that council is simply acting to prevent the visual chaos that could occur if everyone is able to place signs for any purpose wherever they choose.

The proposed limit on signs not associated with the primary activity on a site is one of many things that, for the benefit of all, we are restricted from doing on our own land. I don't imagine that Dr Macpherson objects to rules that prevent his neighbours from making excessive noise, building high-rise apartments, or operating a takeaway store in their front yard.

Under the proposed change, the RDRR would be on the same footing as the many other activities that will be required to demonstrate a community benefit of non-site related signs, such as our theatre groups and the Rotorua Garden Festival.

In the case of political messages, there are extra hurdles. Other laws and regulations limit political campaign signs to a few weeks prior to elections.

I am sure that many of us breathed sighs of relief when the recent national election was past, and the plethora of campaign signs came down. I don't recall any serious political candidates complaining that these sensible restrictions violated their rights of freedom of expression.

KEITH GARRATT
Rotorua

Vulnerable children
Oriwa Kemp wants the chance to bring up her own child (Rotorua Daily Post, January 2).

Before all you bleeding hearts say everybody deserves a second chance just take a moment to think what she has done to a defenceless child. Are you willing to bet a child's life on it because that's exactly what you are doing.

This is exactly why New Zealand has such a poor record with child abuse.

Children are the most important thing in life and the most vulnerable so when a mother takes advantage of that she doesn't deserve a second chance. I can hear you all saying but she's had a hard upbringing and abusive partner. Tough. She knew right from wrong.

GAVIN MUIR
Rotorua