Push for lower minimum flow all about the money

SOMEONE who was wellinformed was explaining to me the other day what the struggle to achieve a minimum flow of 550 litres per second in the Lindis River rather than the already agreed 900 was all about.

Central Otago land ‘‘without water’’ is valued at about $1600 a hectare; arable land ‘‘land with water’’ could have a value as high as $160,000 a hectare.

Of course, in a society which many believe Aotearoa New Zealand has become, those pressuring the local government to fix the minimum flow at 550 are entitled to do so — individualism and focusing upon economic gain are socially acceptable ways of behaving.

However, for others, myself included, who hope that a society where care (especially for what remains of our natural world), community (involving public consultation, rather than private interests) and creativity (innovative, sustainable, imaginative solutions) might emerge with the coalition government in Wellington, all this effort — and public money — seems to be for a few determined individuals to become staggeringly wealthy. E. M. Skinner

Central Otago

Civis column

THE Passing Notes by Civis (ODT, 9.2.19) are a gross perversion of the truth as are the two documents which she/he quotes.

One is the second article of the fake treaty composed by Hobson’s snobbish secretary, Freeman, to send to overseas dignitaries as he considered that Hobson’s simple wording was inappropriate.

The other is Kawharu’s alleged translation of the Treaty in which he committed the cardinal blunder (deliberately?) of quoting the current meaning of ‘‘taonga’’, not its very different 1840 meaning.

The only document from which the true meaning of the Treaty can be established is Hobson’s final draft of February 4, in which the rights of possession of property are affirmed to ALL the people of New Zealand.

That may stick in Civis’ craw, but it is the truth. Bruce Moon

Nelson