Impressive show from theatre

On Saturday, I had a fall in an unlit area where the ground suddenly drops away on the edge of Jellico carpark as we were walking to the ASB Theatre for the Top Twins concert. The pain of what turned out to be a broken patella did not really set in until we were seated in Row L. I evidently went into shock and lost consciousness. We were extremely grateful for the remarkable assistance from Peter, another theatregoer and thankfully a very qualified ambulance person. Also to the people seated around us.

The ASB theatre staff quickly and efficiently rallied around to remove me from my seat down to an awaiting ambulance. We also received a follow up phone call from the theatre to see how I was recovering. It was very heartening to witness and receive the kindness and care from others. Thank you all. Colleen East, Howick.

Making up

Perhaps Jim Bolger, in joining nine other people charged with bringing Labour’s policy to set “fair pay” agreements for life, is trying to make up for the damage he caused the building industry when he stopped the old tried and true apprenticeship system of training people. People, mostly young, proudly called themselves apprentices. I was 50 years in the trade and saw the damage that this senseless act caused. Rob Sunkel, Napier.

Endless talks

Strikes banned during talks? If you can’t stay home because the job sucks that’s tantamount to slavery, long since banned in most countries. What is Labour thinking? Resurrecting an old has-been right-wing Prime Minister, claiming that he’s a born-again fair-dealer? Pinch me, I’m dreaming.

Such a strategy’s only possible motivation is to slow fair pay progress down to the pace of that 83-year-old. Meetings, paid of course, will probably still be going on in 40 years, with replacement methuselahs, like the Treaty talks, a whole new industry. Why is it inevitable that newly elected governments quickly get cold feet about tackling inequality? Are we all ultimately in thrall to the rich? Even Jacinda? Sir John Key still is. Jim Carlyle, Te Atatu Peninsula.

Royal recognition

With such a well respected person as the Queen of England decorating the leader of the Prostitutes Collective, Winz should move into the 21st century and encourage unemployed people to become prostitutes. They won’t necessarily have to work full time for a good income and they would also replace immigrants in this profession. John Robertson, Papamoa Beach.

No moral test

So, New Zealand needs a list called “Not Suitable for Honours”? If the moral repugnance is to be certified by the moral majority then what about these brave concepts of enterprise and forwardthinking social change? A nation doesn’t grow on smugness. Nicholas Lyon Gresson QSM, Parnell.

Free camping

We have just had an interesting report from friends on the southern coast of Spain where they are travelling in their motor home. It may be of interest for authorities here as the Spanish approach seems practical. Here is their description of parking versus camping.

“In this area we have found plenty of free camper stops, but we have had to learn the difference between camping and parking. Some beaches allow campers to park and camp, while other beaches only allow parking but no camping. So what is the difference? Well, any vehicle can park in a beach car park and we are in a vehicle. As long as we park between the white lines and do not engage in camping behaviour, it is okay. We can grab our chairs and table and beach umbrella and sit on the beach and have a picnic, just like the folks in cars, but the minute we place our chairs beside the camper, that is camping and we will get chased away by police.

“It is okay to eat and sleep in the camper and do anything we like really, inside the van, as long as we do not disturb the neighbours. So all activities inside the van are still considered parking, but we can’t put out the awning or hang the washing out to dry or sit in a chair near the camper — only on the beach, which is 10 minutes away. So far we have managed to stay within the rules and not be chased away, plus we have found spots without these restrictions, so have enjoyed some ‘camping activity’ too.” Patricia Dallas, Whangaparaoa.

Prison waste

What a shocking waste of taxpayers’ money to spend $300 million on Paremoremo Prison. While I understand the safety of staff is important, the money could be far better spent in other areas in desperate need of finances. No wonder Labour doesn’t want to build a new prison. Unfortunately we will have to endure home detention with the possibility of many more prisoners cutting off their bracelets or just not staying home under curfew than we do now. Sue Gallahar, Mangere.

NCEA changes

How refreshing to read the Dialogue contribution on proposed NCEA changes by the three senior students from Hobsonville Point Secondary School. What a shame this was not placed on the front page of the Herald instead of the negative over-reaction by the principal of Auckland Grammar School. As an experienced secondary principal, it is my impression that our sector is open minded and supportive of the proposals and we are keen to participate in the consultation.

The reaction of Tim O’Connor may pander to the conservative and traditionalist values of the decision makers at his school, but is certainly not representative of other secondary principals and educational thinkers. I look forward to changes that will allow Year 11 students more time for real world “project based” learning that is deep and relevant, as opposed to our current situation where credit gathering is often the overriding motivation at this year level. And, as ably proposed by the articulate Hobsonville Point students, this need not be at the expense of higher level achievement at Levels 2 and 3 of NCEA for those who wish to continue on the academic tertiary pathway. Tom Vanderlaan, Principal, Waiuku College.

Kiwifruit wages

It is heartening to read that kiwifruit is again a very profitable crop. Well done the industry and MPI. But If this is correct, surely growers can soon afford to pay better wages to Kiwis. If benefit payments, which allow a marginal existence, are preferred to working for the minimum wage, then the minimum wage is obviously too low. Peter Wood, Lower Hutt.

Council costs

I would be a little more comfortable about the proposed Auckland fuel tax if I felt that the money would be spent wisely. However, that seems unlikely. We have an unaccountable bureaucracy, courtesy of Rodney Hide, far too many people in council earning extraordinary salaries, and a rapacious system of charging far too much for permits, while contractors seem to believe a job done for the council is a golden ticket.

The excuse for the salaries is apparently that the best people need to be attracted. I would think with a lesser salary and the security of employment in the council, applicants would be beating down the doors. Martin Cleland, Torbay.

Methane not guilty

University boffins have finally figured out methane gas emitted by our ruminant farm animals is not the climate risk they thought it was. Talk about discovering the bleeding obvious. They have now agreed that methane is a short lived gas that after about eight to 10 years breaks down in the atmosphere . . . back to carbon dioxide and water. They could have found that out by reading the Niwa website.

The grass on New Zealand farms grows by taking carbon dioxide and water from the atmosphere and mixing it with nitrogen and a few other minerals from the soil. To that point it is a net carbon sink. Ruminant animals, mostly cows and sheep, eat the grass and belch carbon dioxide and methane. The CO content is 2 no more than a return to the air of the gas taken in the by grass. The only net addition to greenhouse gas emissions is the methane. But after 10 years that’s gone.

Thus simple logic tells us that in a farming system with a steady number of animals the methane content remains constant at the 10 year level. David Morris, Hillsborough.

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