Looking forward, is it the positive result both clubs would seek to secure their ongoing viability?
TERRY COXON
Otamatea
Open Studios
As a first-time exhibiting artist, who in previous years has thoroughly enjoyed trailing around others' studios, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the Artists Open Studios organising team, and especially to event manager Kelly Scarrow, for the fabulous job you have done of making this event something awesome for art lovers and for Whanganui in general.
It was grand to see so many happy and friendly locals and visitors on the arts trail. For me, taking part in this event could have been very intimidating, however Kelly made it so very easy with clear information, direction, regular contact, and willing availability all the way through.
SUE KUMEROA
Whanganui
Rodeo abuse
Shame on the Chronicle, I say, for glorifying animal abuse recently with two large, eye-catching rodeo photos.
The first one of a bucking horse, on the front page no less (March 19), was followed up the next day (March 20) with a photo of a bucking bull with the Raetihi rodeo results under the flippant heading "Rodeo ropes in the crowds".
Both these animals are in pain and discomfort due to "flank straps" cinched tightly round their hindquarters and are bucking in an effort to get rid of them. Another rodeo event involving the chasing and roping of calves at speeds up to 45km/h is particularly cruel. With the violent action of suddenly being lassoed and thrown to the ground, they often end up with severe internal injuries or even broken necks.
Watching rodeo events may be a thrilling experience for some, but the fact remains that exploiting animals for enjoyment is nothing short of barbaric. Rodeos are completely banned in the UK and in parts of Australia and the USA. We live in a supposedly civilised country and the sooner rodeos are banned here, the better.
MARGARET HAROLD
Wanganui
Higher view
It seems that in Carol Webb's view, humans are not better than animals, which also do not touch hot objects for fear of pain. Then, when a horse is sick, humans shoot it.
Are we going to treat our sick family and friends the same way? As mere animals? As if there is nothing in humans above animals. Euthanasia is the end of a life without hope; such death is full of despair. That itself is a tragedy, to be avoided.
There is a higher dimension in humans, which is not material. When man first landed on the moon, millions followed these events. The first human step on the moon was indeed "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". Why such interest and joy at this exploit? Because it manifested how, using our mind, our intelligence, we can go beyond the limitations our bodies. No animal has ever done so nor will ever do so.
The same is true for pain: some pain is not material. For example, a woman feels betrayed if her husband commits adultery. That feeling of betrayal is much deeper than burning a finger on a hot plate and lasts much longer. Adultery is a lack of fidelity; fidelity is to be true to one's word; truth is spiritual, not material.
If one opens one's eyes on this spiritual realm, and above all if one opens one's heart to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, then there is hope through Him. There is true meaning for life on earth: as a preparation for everlasting life. And there is even a meaning for suffering: as a means of purification for past sins and elevation above material affections.
That is the crucible of divine Love! "God commendeth his charity towards us; because when as yet we were sinners, according to the time, Christ died for us; much more therefore, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from wrath through him." (Rom 5:8-9).
FR FRANCOIS LAISNEY
St Anthony's, Whanganui
Right to kill
We keep hearing calls at the moment for the so-called "right to die". This is a propaganda slogan designed to mislead people.
No one is denying anyone their "right to die". Everyone dies.
This slogan is trying to fudge the fact that people are not calling for a right to die, but for a right to kill or to assist people to kill themselves.
In any other context that is rightly decried as wrong, but we are supposed to declare it as "compassionate" in this issue.
It is a graphic illustration of Orwellian newspeak in action.
K A BENFELL
Gonville
Assisted dying
Well said, Melinda Bolton — a timely letter (March 12).
She states, and I quote, "as seen in Belgium and The Netherlands, voluntary euthanasia very soon becomes involuntary euthanasia".
Involuntary euthanasia is already in practice in New Zealand, so I shudder to think how many more will be "moved on" if and when voluntary euthanasia is enacted into law here.
The "powers that be" will have a field day, particularly where the elderly are concerned. Involuntary euthanasia provides no closure for the remaining family of a loved one; this has to have been experienced in order to empathise.
Where patients' lives are sadly at a terminal stage, and accompanied by unbearable pain, there are appropriate drugs available to assist in the final stages. Such drugs may hasten death by a few hours, or days, but in such cases the use of such assistance is justified.
If indeed voluntary euthanasia is eventually enacted into law in NZ, there will certainly need to be extremely tight guidelines and accountability to protect patients, particularly the vulnerable elderly.
V GREGORY
Whanganui
Regions matter
To Shane Jones MP:
Provinces do matter; thank you for bringing this topic to the notice of all New Zealand.
Whanganui lost its Air NZ flights recently; a big thank you to Air Chathams for our service to Auckland. We have no other connection, eg Wellington.
Air NZ can hardly claim to be our National carrier (yet Air NZ is 51 per cent owned by NZ taxpayers).
Perhaps the commercial answer is to revisit the provinces' requirement for better services — by using the dividend paid to the Government. After all, it is the return on taxpayers' capital invested in the airline.
Provinces in NZ do matter! Air, rail, road, telecommunications etc are essential for NZ to prosper.
You are championing a cause that can only bring rewards for the whole country.
Thank you.
RUSSELL CRANE
Otamatea
Jailing doctors?
K A Benfell, balderdash and poppycock! Doctors who decline to participate in assisted dying must provide the contact details of the SCENZ group to the patient (Support and Consultation for End of Life NZ).
A similar requirement holds under the Abortion Act. A doctor who declines to participate must inform the patient that other doctors may consider her request. It would be iniquitous if doctors were allowed to completely obstruct patients in obtaining legal medical services because of the doctor's personal "conscience".
If you planned to argue that a referral to SCENZ is automatically a "done deal", it is not. The SCENZ doctor must follow the required steps. He/she must have an initial consultation with the patient, outline all other possible options, recommend reflection and discussion with others such as family, friends or advisers.
As a result, the patient may decide not to take the request for assisted dying any further. But if he/she does, the SCENZ doctor must determine eligibility at that time. If eligibility is not met, the SCENZ doctor may not proceed. Same with the second doctor.
Under the End of Life Choice Bill, any person, including doctors, who wilfully fails to comply with the law (if it becomes law) or who tampers with the process could be liable to a term of imprisonment up to three months or a fine up to $10,000.
K A Benfell, I hope you don't hold a position of trust in your community. Your ignorance of the bill could frighten those who rely on you for advice. Read it at www.parliament.nz.
ANN DAVID
Waikanae
Plea to council
I am making a plea for a change in the Whanganui rubbish collection.
As I understand it, Waste Management will soon no longer provide collection of the bags of rubbish. They will only offer the rubbish bins. Budget Waste (Now Environ Waste) has already made this change.
There are several problems with this.
First, many people won't be able to afford the higher price of rubbish bin collection. We could find rubbish left all over the city streets.
Second, for those who can afford the bin, it is very tempting to put all your waste in one bin (including glass, tins, newspaper and green waste). This will mean less recycling for our efficient Recycling Centre on Maria St Extension and more rubbish going to the landfill. This pile is ever-growing and produces a leachate that filters into underground water supplies. Surface water takes the plastic into the sea, where it is killing sea life.
My suggestion is that the district council takes over the collection of the bags of rubbish and continues charging for them through the supermarkets, either with sticker or authorised bag. This would give the council a stream of income with which it could set up a weekly collection. The council might be able to find degradable plastic bags so that would not add more plastic. There may have to be initial borrowing to purchase trucks and hire workers, but the current collectors have managed to make a profit on it long-term.
I hope some consideration will be given to these suggestions.
DONNA MUMMERY
Whanganui
