A selection of letters to the editor. Have your say by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. Please also see letters rules at the bottom of this page.
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So glad to see the positive article re army type Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) training.
Anyone who is a school drop-out or about to begin a life of crime and dole bludging, should consider this for a start in life or a career in the military, as I did over 25 years ago.
Young girls don't have to get themselves pregnant just to go on the DPB. Young boys don't have to dodge IRD/Child Support or prospect for a gang.
The military way can work so much better than any other scheme (for these types of kids) and it isn't the draconian institute our society has been conditioned to believe. I'm not saying the military become a dumping ground for reprobates, because the military isn't for everyone and they certainly won't allow that to happen. But if we can catch these young people before their grades start slipping, before their adolescent hormones kick in and before they become a nuisance and risk to society, then give it a go at least.
And if they don't like it, just leave. Maybe the short time in uniform would have inspired them, given some self esteem and confidence, the ability to plan, as well as the ability to make choices ... real choices.
BRIAN MOORE
Kandahar, Afghanistan
We took some visitors up Mountain Rd last week. We hadn't been up there for some time and had not realised there are now few viewing spots available due to tree growth.
So, we pulled up at the best spot and our visitor was first out of the car and she recoiled in shock at the sight of the dumped rubbish. We had forgotten about the illegal rubbish dump.
A little further on there is an area with fencing similar to deer fence. I wonder why this can't be continued further up the road and possibly topped with barbed wire.
Looking at the view through a fence would be far preferable to the sight of all that filth.
CHRISTINE JOHNS
Rotorua
Regarding Rugby World Cup 2011 games in Rotorua, no one will bother about Ireland playing here? What?!
My No 2 New Year's resolution was: "I will not watch, listen to or read about the Rugby World Cup".
Then I found out Ireland is to play here! That has me trembling. Which is worse - breaking a New Year's resolution or ignoring my ancestors' representatives?
LYNNE STREET
Rotorua
Some months ago the Government had floated the idea of opening up schedule four conservation land, previously closed to exploration. But that was quickly dropped when street marches and protesters' actions caused the Government to hastily backtrack.
One has to ask why? The usually presented arguments against exploration are just as outdated as the mining techniques that have been used in earlier times to seek out oil, minerals, coal or whatever that resource may be.
Unsightly mess and huge scars on the landscape should only be a distant memory as such methods are just as antiquated as the objections raised today.
With modern investigative techniques such as satellite mapping and ultrasound scanning, any areas of interest can be reasonably evaluated before a drill even touches the earth's surface or seabed within our boundaries. Also, with today's technology, horizontal as well as vertical drilling is the norm and what about those great piles of mine tailings which may well contain such valuables as rare earths, essential for many modern day electronics mobile phones, iPods, hybrid cars etc?
A boost our economy would help us maintain the standard of living we once enjoyed instead of borrowing millions each week to keep the country going as at present.
Regular columnist Brian Holden raised this issue earlier in the year, citing our country's almost desperate need for overseas funds and certainly some regulation and controls are necessary, to protect our environment, although much is in place already.
MIKE URE
Rotorua
A young rellie of mine has just done the first semester of a business degree at university.
He was very disappointed to find that the university work was exactly what he did at school in Year 13.
It appears the universities are making the students re-do the last school year because most of them haven't learned it. What does this teach the diligent first year uni student? And how can they charge for level 4 papers when they actually are teaching level 3?
GJ PHILIP
Rotorua
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