Elderly giving to the rich Donations solution

The conclusion in Charitiesmay sign away $1.4 billion (Dec 30) is too easy and commits severe age discrimination. Even though the solution is clearly displayed in Forest & Bird’s statement that ‘‘some of our elder donors have sent us notes saying that this will be the last year they can give’’.

The real reason charities will miss out on the $1.46b is because us oldieswere taught, exhorted and required to save diligently and ‘‘have money in the bank for our retirement’’.

Now economists and politicians have been persuaded by big business and traders that our nation’s economic solution is in spending, not in saving.

The nil bank interest rates have absorbed the money we saved for our old age as well as the money we used to donate to charity.

The reason New Zealand business is able to do so well and house prices to soar is the use of themoney we, as the nation’s elderly savers, were forced to give to the rich by virtue of the Reserve Bank interest rate decisions.

Paul Franken, Strathmore Park

I read with interest the article regarding charities missing out on a potential $1.4 billion in donations as banks phase out cheques. There seems to be amajor problem looming for charities.

Thosewho generously donate to charities by cheque feel let down by the major banks.

From a bank’s point of view, clearing a cheque takes time from bank staff at both drawee and drawer’s banks, thus reducing profits to overseas shareholders.

I wonder if one solution might be if Kiwibank were to continue accepting cheques. Those who issue cheques to charity could then switch their banking to Kiwibank (or at least open a Kiwibank account), and charities could also open their own Kiwibank account to accept donations.

The time taken by Kiwibank staff to clear cheques would hopefully be offset by the increased business generated from donors and donees.

Chris Teague, Christchurch