OVER TO YOU

Anyone wishing to make a complaint to the New Zealand Press Council should first put it in writing to the editor. If not satisfied with the reply, complainants should then write to The Secretary, NZ Press Council, Box 10 879, Wellington, including a clipping of the disputed article and copies of the correspondence.

TVNZ responds to criticism

Karl Du Fresne (Manawatu¯ Standard, November 15) is perfectly entitled to his opinion on our news and we welcome his viewership, but when he accuses 1 News of ‘‘deception’’ and ‘‘dishonesty’’, a response is called for.

We frequently run international material from the BBC and the United States’ ABC network. When our Europe or US correspondents are not available, we will often pull together a story back here in New Zealand. Not all our affiliate material is suitable to run in New Zealand. The story may still be developing, it may be too long, too short or aimed too closely at an overseas domestic audience. Our aim is simply to tell a story that New Zealand viewers can relate to.

Mr Du Fresne is incorrect in stating as fact our reporter ‘‘replaced a voice track supplied with the original item supplied by the BBC’’. The reporter conducted his own research and reported the story using a range of affiliate material and sourcing. In no way did we deceive our audience and we believe they’d be smart enough to know if we did so.

We agree ‘‘news is serious stuff’’. In the past year alone our team has reported from all over New Zealand and the world on stories as diverse as natural disasters to a general election. All of these stories have myriad challenges, not least keeping our staff safe while covering them.

1 News is New Zealand’s most watched and most trusted TV news – we never take that position for granted.

Phil O’sullivan

1 News editor newsgathering

Remembering Barry Leader

We have just completed a successful Local History Week in which much was made of the merits of preserving our past.

When, on November 11, I read an obituary in the Manawatu¯ Standard for my first chief reporter, Barry Leader (a wonderful bloke), it brought back many great memories.

However, there was one black mark. It said he worked for the Manawatu¯ News. There was no such paper. It was the Manawatu¯ Times.

It was a great paper, which covered the early days of Palmerston North and operated vigorously until a hostile takeover in the 1960s. Now, there seems to be a determined effort to write it out of our history. News, no. Times, yes and forever.

Mervyn Dykes

Palmerston North

Time for gorge action

Hats off to the Manawatu¯ Standard for your story about the new Government’s plans for a train through the gorge from Palmerston North to Napier.

People in Woodville should be jumping for joy at the prospect of tourist services through the gorge and the possibility of commuter services to Palmerston North.

If this Government is true to its word on regional development, such advancements should be on the table.

I was similarly gobsmacked at Tararua mayor Tracey Collis’ preference for a bus service, which is already expensive and unreliable – particularly to superannuitants who get free rail travel elsewhere as part of their entitlements and simple cannot afford the bus to Palmerston North.

The gorge road is supposedly eight years in construction and while mayor Collis and her council collect our rates, what does she suggest business in Woodville does to survive?

Eat wallpaper?

Train services should be a priority and Tracey Collis should be the first person knocking on the ministers’ doors.

John Preston

Woodville

Naked reflections

When one reflects upon the fact that much of the famous art of the world depicts female nudity, the decision by the Horowhenua District Council to remove photographs from an art exhibition because they show women’s nipples seems to indicate that the exhibition was run by bureaucrats and not anyone with any knowledge and particular appreciation of true art.

Allan Kirk

Masterton

Who benefits?

In the Manawatu¯ Standard of October 27, an article appeared about the ANZ profit for the year.

This was a staggering $1.86 billion.

The ANZ chief executive David Hisco reflected in this article that the shareholders had enormous capital invested in the bank.

I like to disagree.

A shareholder only put money up during the start-up period of a business.

He/she will receive shares for this. Of course this capital is needed to get the business going, but they only did put money in to make a profit.

The real ‘‘shareholders’’ are the people who have money invested in deposits, the people with mortgages and others (businesses etc) who have accounts.

They are the ones supporting the ANZ business and provide the profit. One has to ask are the real ‘‘shareholders’’ being paid a decent return on their money and/ or are they being ripped off by high fees?

Joe Erkens

Ashhurst