Stop the dispersal of collection

Re Why the past matters as we struggle to face a difficult future, by Rowan Light (April 9), books are part of our community of memory. Light correctly identifies that one of the ways that we build meaning in our lives is by connecting to community frameworks that go beyond ourselves, our family and immediate circles.

These connections, the writer says, are declining in New Zealand, and have been for some time. The collections of knowledge at the National Library, including but also beyond the NZ-created materials, are part of those wider connections that many of us seek out in order to place our lives in a broader context.

This is even more vital in these isolated islands. Having access to what Philip Larkin called ‘‘the lifted studystorehouse’’ of knowledge is vital for this search for meaning. He meant that the library is a place for study, but also to store knowledge.

The wonderful collections of overseas books at our National Library are currently undergoing a process of disposal to other libraries and private individuals. Why lose further opportunities for connectedness, under threat in so many ways, by dispersing this collection out of our national library? Michael Pringle, Tawa

Virtual motor-racing

As a former car lover I read with interest that Kiwi Supercar champion Scott McLaughlin is off the racetrack and racing virtually.

This has to be a big win for the environment. I hope he and his fellow motorsport competitors can stay in the virtual world when our pandemic ends. It seems to me this kind of new way of being is what our time of crisis offers us all.

Further than this, the global motorsport industry might have a complete ecological conversion. In such a new world they would divest themselves completely of their high carbon sport and direct their finances, energy and enthusiasm towards a life-sustaining world.

Here’s hoping, in the spirit of our many interconnected crises which are always about the seemingly impossible come into being.

Peter Healy, O¯ taki

In thrall to new cabal

The Covid crisis has forced the government into the hands of medical experts.

It has chosen to follow the advice of Otago University epidemiologists Michael Baker and Nick Wilson, who have deemed elimination as the goal and whatever-ittakes as the method, albeit the economy and livelihoods are smashed.

Australia has taken Covid very seriously, but taken a pragmatic path, allowing many businesses and much of the economy to remain functioning.

It is interesting to recall that when neoliberalism became the new economic orthodoxy, New Zealand chose a radical, pure approach to that as well, setting near zero inflation as the target and damn the social and economic consequences.

Monetarists and economists hailed that approach and watched our social and economic experiment with great interest.

Meanwhile, Australia also adopted monetarism to fight inflation but set a wider and more achievable inflation target. Social disruption there, in terms of jobs lost and people put on the scrapheap, was far less than here, and economic performance over the years much superior.

Once again we are in thrall to a new cabal of ideologues who want their absolutist goals achieved and damn the consequences. And again, the world is applauding.

Simon Louisson, Seatoun

NZ post-Covid-19

Post Covid-19 New Zealand will be a changed place. In the past we have often been disinclined to adopt progressive legislation or to update aspects of our constitution to reflect present-day realities.

But our readiness to accept what would normally be regarded as draconian restrictions and regulations to combat the spread of the virus has been quite remarkable, which makes one to think that future changes might perhaps be more acceptable and even demanded.

With people having experienced uncrowded roads and countryside it’s possible one of the first demands might be for more controls on rampant tourism that was beginning to overwhelm not only us, but the world in general.

First to go might be the enormous cruises ships that worldwide were having such a negative impact on general tourism in some port cities unlucky enough to be on their itinerary. Also, we are now even more aware of their ability to spread disease.

Perhaps even constitutional issues like appointing our own head of state will seem sensible and logical, or replacing irrelevant religious holidays or dated ones such as the English monarch’s birthday might appear sensible.

Murray Eggers, Paraparaumu

Fishing fleet deaths

Nearly a dozen Pacific fisheries observers, many from Kiribati, have died while on board foreign-flagged fishing boats in recent years.

Many of those are known to be murders yet, as the events have happened on the high seas, prosecution is often difficult and unsuccessful.

At the moment, it appears that the murders are being basically covered up by the Pacific nations’ bureaucracy.

Yet, if the companies owning the boats on which the deaths are taking place knew they would be denied access to the fishing grounds after such a death, the deaths would stop immediately.

It appears that the Pacific nations’ greed for the income from this fishing is greater than their perception of the need to prevent the murders. This is an indictment on each and every one of them. Allan Kirk, Masterton

Christian comment absent

So Easter has passed, amidst the upset and confusion of Covid-19. But in the Dominion Post, where were the articles by Christian writers?

At the focal point of the Christian year, some Christian comment could be expected. I found none. Oh yes, there was a report about the online church services being held. That’s good, but it’s news.

Newspapers have an important role in promoting comment and opinion as well.

The fact is that we are all locked down but the church’s message is not.

It’s disappointing to see you failing in your responsibility to reflect what society is saying and doing.

Warwick Smith, Paremata

PPEs for health workers

In week three of lockdown I don’t want to hear any more about healthcare workers in hospitals and other essential staff not having enough PPE to safely do their jobs.

As a former nurse I am familiar with the expectation of producing great outcomes with inadequate resources.

If it is a ‘‘supply chain issue’’ please, prime minister and director-general of health, quickly sort the weak links in the chain. And rewrite the guidelines for PPE use to clear current confusion about its use.

If private citizens can import PPE quickly and we make plenty of our own PPE, it needs to be available for all frontline staff. If existing services can’t deliver, appoint new ones skilled in the art of logistics. Maybe even get private contractors on the job.

And please ensure these valuable resources are protected for the proper end users, not stolen by opportunist thieves who have always targeted the property of patients, staff and hospitals.

Gill Burke, Eastbourne

Central Library essential

The mayoral update of April 14 (WCC. govt.nz) identified projects the council has submitted to central government as being ‘‘shovel ready’’ and set to go in the next six months.

In the top nine projects there isn’t a single mention of the central library. Nor for the next 6-18 months (unless it is covered by the bland ‘‘Civic Square’’ item).

Some of the submitted projects have dubious environmental or social value unless infrastructure is classed as environmental. They may not be votegrabbing but infrastructure is essential to the daily working of the city and all residents.

Furthermore, why is the council spending money on demolishing the perfectly functional Frank Kitts Park ahead of reopening the public library. Surely opening the library has a higher social and cultural benefit than revamping Frank Kitts Park, redeveloping the Wellington Museum and the National Music Centre (which will also eliminate a central city park).

Urgent infrastructure projects (like the water pipes) will create just as many jobs as these nice-to-have fancy vote-getting projects.

I am also wondering why the council is continuing with the Convention Centre which has potential to develop into a Sesqui-style failure.

Catharine Underwood, Brooklyn