Your views: Readers' letters

Dialysis service

I write on behalf of the patients of Whanganui who, with help from families and friends, have to drive to Palmerston North three times each week.

I ask for a clear and unambiguous public statement from the current hospital board as to the plans to provide a full dialysis service and treatment to be available in this city from this city hospital.

I sense a dysfunctional and ineffective board that is unable to direct a management structure that is unsympathetic to the needs of the patients. If this board is unable to deliver the treatments needed by Wanganui people, it should be replaced.

The excuse I hear is that there are no experienced staff. What happened to recruiting them?

DAVID BENNETT
Whanganui

Post vehicle

Yesterday we had our first electric vehicle post delivery.

I thought, how ironic -- just as publicity was given to get everyone "on their bikes", along comes a seated vehicle for mail delivery.

I also wondered why on earth these machines have not got at least plastic roll-down sides in case of bad weather.

The lovely post lady I spoke to was freezing, having been in the thing since 7.30am. I met her at 2.30pm.

I also do not know what they do if they meet mobility scooters or prams on the footpath. There's certainly no room to pass each other.

I just wish we had our lovely posties back on their bikes getting fresh air and exercise without freezing to death.

FIONA DONNE
Aramoho

Fairer system

Allan Anderson (August 16) argues that voters are excluded under STV and asks me to explain how that is fair. Do you think you could be a bit more vague please, Mr Anderson?

What I do know is that millions of votes are wasted every election using Mr Anderson's old, outdated, FPP voting system. This happens when a voter ticks a candidate who has no chance of ever being elected -- that vote is wasted.

STV is fairer because that voter's second or third choice may actually count towards another candidate being elected and that voter therefore feels the effort to vote was worthwhile.

What I also know is that STV is fairer because it statistically ensures those who are elected do so with majority support of the community. That is particularly important when it comes to electing our mayor. A mayor with less than 50 per cent support hardly has any mandate.

STEVE BARON
Whanganui

Women's soccer

Many thanks to the combined ladies' soccer team. Their 1pm Wembley Park Sunday exploits have given us much pleasure and enjoyment.

They play the game in an admirable spirit. The general level of sportswomanship does the coach, Symon King, and all players great credit.

How good to see both teams and officials lining up to shake hands before games. We never quite understood what a war dance had to do with a sporting occasion. We very much look forward to next winter's Women's Federation League games on Wembley Park. The grandstand deserves to be full for this side, although the trumpet playing could be improved.

We will miss our Sunday soccer.

FRED and LORNA ROSE
Whanganui

Send your letters to: The Editor, Wanganui Chronicle, 100 Guyton St, PO Box 433, Wanganui 4500; or email editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz