The ship is sinking – and something needs to be done

MAILBOX

Welcome to our world. We featured in your paper about a month ago ‘‘Anger as $21,000 lost in subdivision process’’ ( Nelson Mail, May 19).

Not only do we empathise with the people who are caught up in the council’s levy changes ( Nelson Mail, June 30), we can relate to it.

Three years ago we purchased our nine acres on Stagecoach Rd. We were told the $1700 contribution was paid by the vendor. Whilst waiting for our title to come through we were hit by another contributions levy from TDC. I rang the council and they simply said we have changed the levy contributions rate. Who else is allowed to increase their fees by 200 per cent overnight? We refused to pay this. TDC said our new house would not be signed off. For mortgage purposes we had to relent.

We are enraged by this bullying. We need to all stand tall and be heard. Revolution?

The council has so much power and nothing is being done about it. TDC is bringing our community to a grinding halt.

Who of you out there have suffered at the hands of the council? In numbers we have strength. We need to right the sinking ship before it is too late. TRISH and CHARLIE GOULTER Upper Moutere, July 3.

Juries being misled

The succession of trials that have delivered not guilty or hung juries are a cause for concern. We have defence lawyers whose summations are theatrical performances, painting extraordinary improbable explanations before juries and judges telling juries that if they have ‘‘any doubt’’ they must acquit.

In my opinion, the first is a subtle breach of the professional rules applicable to lawyers and the latter is a misrepresentation of the time- established definition of ‘‘beyond reasonable doubt’’. Juries are being misled into a belief that every remote possibility must be absolutely eliminated before they can safely convict. The result is the system is no longer working and the actually guilty are going free. BRYAN FORREST Wakefield, July 3.

Collins deserves sack

I believe that the Judith Collins, Minister of ACC should resign now from all her ministerial portfolios.

There have been so many scandals involving the department that it is not funny and frankly criminal what is going on in ACC.

The resignations that have taken place so far: John Judge, who was appointed by Nelson MP Nick Smith (a casualty of the ACC scandal, also a board member).

There is no way in the world that Mrs Collins is going to sue both Trevor Mallard or Andrew Little.

It is nothing but a sideshow and is taking away from the real issues in ACC, that this government has made it corrupt.

The Prime Minister, John Key, should sack Mrs Collins as minister. ANTONY COTTON Nelson, July 3.

Asset sales a win-win

Asset sales, as proposed in the Mixed Ownership Model Bill, clearly have advantages for all New Zealanders.

Mighty River Power, the first on the schedule for sale, will release $1.8 billion for new assets and infrastructure, eg irrigation schemes, public transport and schools.

The Government’s net asset base remains the same.

It is argued that the Government will lose income from dividends. These ‘‘losses’’ (49 per cent) would be offset by the cost of borrowing had the government obtained loans to finance the new capital works.

Further, the Government needs to reduce unnecessary borrowing to avoid a credit downgrade which would lead to increased interest rates for all New Zealand borrowers.

Any new publicly listed company formed from the asset sales will be listed on the stock exchange and be required to abide by its rules and regulations which will lead to a transparency not required for SOEs.

Over time, with good management, the value of the newly-formed companies will grow, adding value to the 51 per cent shareholding held by the Government.

A wide range of New Zealand investors, including individuals and fund managers, will be encouraged to participate. This must be beneficial.

All in all, asset sales are a win-win situation. DENIS SMITH Nelson, July 27.

A great success

Lesley Elliott’s recent visit to the Nelson region has been a resounding success. Soroptimist International of Waimea and Nelson would like to thank the people of Nelson and Tasman for attending the public presentation on Wednesday, June 20 at Nelson College for Girls to hear Lesley Elliott (Sophie’s mum) share her story.

We are delighted to let you know that from a breakfast in May, ticket sales and raffle on the night we raised $2500 for the foundation.

The Sophie Elliott Foundation aims to cause a profound shift in New Zealand’s attitude towards relationship violence – to reject all signs of abuse, power and control in relationships.

We would like to especially thank Nelson College for Girls, Nelson and Richmond Paper Plus, the students who performed such wonderful music, the kapa haka group (the people of our district can be assured there are many wonderful young men and women in our community that we can all be proud of) the panellists and Matt Lawrey, our MC. SHERYL WATERHOUSE Soroptimist International of Waimea, Brightwater, July 2.