LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ELECTRIC PROPULSION

I was interested to read the article in The Hutt News which described the venture into the mysteries of electric propulsion of bicycles to groups of secondary school pupils. Their introduction to the technology can be nothing but beneficial for themselves and the country as a whole.

I have watched the various pronouncements on the very slow move to autonomous electric vehicles, including an item published some months ago which outlined the Minister of Transport’s view that the country should be moving more to electric vehicles for everyday use.

There was no comment about the bulk purchase of EVs to be made available at advantageous rates to the consumers. We need to return to the philosophy of the late Rob Muldoon and his ‘‘Think Big’’ adventure. I would suggest the Government consider calling worldwide tenders for the supply of perhaps 250,000 EVs. I imagine the costs associated with such a large commitment would reduce to levels whereby purchase would be possible for many in the community.

It goes without saying there would need to be other concessions by Government which offered low interest loans to consumers. Reduced registration fees for full EVs, and other inducements to encourage widespread up take of the vehicles would introduce more incentives.

. Has any thought been given to the possibility of converting existing vehicles to full electric propulsion? Costs could reduce remarkably for average vehicle owners, compared to the cost of purchasing new EVs. It would recycle the older vehicles also which must present itself as a considerable bonus for those of us concerned to reduce emissions, and help our country live up to the promises made at the Paris Climate Conference in 2015. There seems to have been very little action seen to date, regarding the contribution by this country toward the climate goals it signed up to at that conference.

With an election approaching, the topic would be an important opportunity to exercise the minds of candidates. (Abridged)

Peter Grove

Taita

KEEP IT PURE

What an excellent letter by Max Shierlaw (March 21) on water submissions. I totally agree with his thoughts on Petone’s water. As fluoridation is a big talking point at present, Mayor Wallace also commented on it in the same paper. He mentioned the ‘‘ outcry in the 90s’’ when the council tried unsuccessfully to start adding fluoride to Petone’s water. Although he followed that up by saying he ‘‘ suspected the community would be split 50/50 on the issue now.’’

I suspect you need to think again Mr Wallace. Petone has the purest, freshest, greatest tasting residential water supply in the country. And residents in the borough are damned proud of it. No toxic chemicals, or chlorene smell when we turn a tap on.I agree entirely with the mayor when he said that whoever makes decisions on flouride in the future, should recognise local wishes. After all, we do live in a democratic country, or did last time I looked. And after drinking Petone water all my life ( 58 years), I still have my original teeth. Fancy that!

BrianNHill

Petone

BACKUP NEEDED

Last Saturday’s The Dominion Post had a front page article on the preparations necessary for Wellington if it should ever be split in to seven ‘‘islands’’ in the event of a natural catastrophe. In the two years I have been living in Lower Hutt there have been three occasions when SH2 has been at least partially cut off, and in a major event this is even more likely.

I amastonished that the Petone and Eastbourne wharves have been allowed to deteriorate to

COMMUNITY INPUT

I amshocked at the $39 million cost of the river precinct project. Nice but not essential compared to river pollution or wharf safety. No doubt guesstimates will double as work starts. What attention has been given to reducing costs? What consideration has been given to volunteers? Horticulture/ landscaping students and apprentices? Prisoners and detainees? Letting various community groups design and implement sections? Hawaii has highways proudly planned and beautified by community groups and interest sectors. Why can’t we? It appears many recent Hutt projects are designed solely by and for the business sector and developers at the expense of residents and their communities. Witness plans to borrow debt for this project, benefiting the CBD businesses and developers, funded by reducing business rates and increasing residential rates. More residential/ community involvement on the council is needed. (Abridged)

VCooper

Maungaraki