Squash left in lurch

Reading the front page of the Northland Age on Tuesday March 5 about the Kerikeri Domain debacle, specifically the support being given to the rugby league club by various people of note in the community, I nearly choked on my breakfast.

The league club has put precisely zero resources into the building, unlike the Kerikeri Squash Club, who (in conjunction with the rugby club, which was assisted into new premises by the FNDC), built it some years ago.

The council ‘acquired’ control over the building a few years ago with a promise to maintain the premises. Since the fire, nearly three years ago, which

was arson and no fault of the Kerikeri Squash Club, we have been without the ability to play in town at all — as you can understand we need more than an open field to play our sport, we need a bespoke building.

The council has continually fobbed the club off on making a final decision about what is going to happen to/for the club, with Dave Hookway being one of the most unhelpful amongst the lot. To hear him whinge on about the poor old league club makes my blood boil — this is with no disrespect intended towards the league club, but a huge amount of disappointment with him supporting his favourites while at the same time leaving the squash club in the lurch.

If I was to succumb to my

anger, I would probably use the words ‘arrogance’, ‘liars’ and worse, however, I will maintain my dignity and not do so. I urge all right-minded members of the Far North community to bear in mind the way the council has acted in this saga during the next election, I know I will. NEIL VARTAN

Kerikeri absolutely believe the Earth is flat. Now if they were taught the Earth is flat but there is a possibility that the Earth is round, this would encourage them to investigate both sides of the story. This is where critical thinking is important.

An excellent example of this one-sided propaganda appears on the front page of the Northland Age (March 7), where we have three children, ages 12, 9, and 12, holding up placards they have made that they will be displaying when they will have a one-day strike for action to be taken on climate change.

You cannot tell me that these children have done a lot of research on this subject, but are just regurgitating what they

have been taught.

If our young people are taught that the so-called ‘science is settled’ on climate change and that man is causing it, is it no wonder today’s youth believe implicitly that this is the truth and that there is no alternative explanation?

Our children are very vulnerable and gullible. Can you remember telling your parents they were wrong because the teacher taught us this? It is then not surprising that children are forgoing their reading, writing and arithmetic and having the day off, thinking they are doing their bit to change the world.

Let’s get some critical thinking back into our schools, and at least give our young people the opportunity to search out the truth on all matters. As the saying goes, there are always two sides to every argument. BRUCE BELL

Kaitaia itself, are being brought to take a day off school, purportedly to tell the Government that urgent, radical action is needed to avoid global warming catastrophe.

However, it would seem some sort of rational balance if there are teachers and school administrators out there who are trying to influence and coerce children to fulfil their duty to attend school. The culture so prevalent in our schools today makes any such teachers and administrators most extraordinary.

God knows this far left Government doesn’t need any nudge from school children to rush foolishly down garden paths that lead to the disastrous situation which they feign to pre-empt. But give any child the option of taking a day off school . . . ALAN JONES

Invercargill Alcohol Act 2012.

However, upon looking at this legislation, it does not specify the cost to licence seekers. You actually have to look to the Northland District Council website to find the pricing. The rules they do have control over.

By making these licences so expensive it jeopardises any profitability and future participation in community events and so we all lose. GARVIN SHACKLETON

Kaitaia and made the finals in their category — you can read about their journey in the book.

We are currently at the artwork stage, including every photo of every entry over the 10 years; so, a very colourful visual record of the creative energy that was Art 2 Wear in Kaitaia, is almost ready for printing. The book release date will be advised — watch this space.

With a print run of 100 copies and nearly half pre-ordered, please advise anyone who was involved with Art 2 Wear so they can place an order to ensure a copy for $55.

The bank details are: BPW Kaitaia — ASB a/c 12 3096 0185305 52, using your name as reference. Please advise us your postal address for delivery (email bpwkaitaia1987@gmail.com).

Again, we thank the community for their support of this archival project, as well as acknowledging the generous funding by Creative Communities NZ and Te Hiku Community Board, Far North District Council, to print 10 Years of Art 2 Wear in Kaitaia.

RAEWYN PENNELL — ARCHIVIST

BPW Kaitaia

Not good for the eyesight impaired. Just how many staff does it take? None it seems.

Wake up guys.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED On hearing our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s claim of one million people speaking te reo Ma¯ ori by 2040, one can see why she needs extra taxation of $8 billion over five years from capital gains tax.

Jacinda Ardern appears to be wasting much-needed money on many things to please a few, but one asks if she is either a magpie or a cocky rooster on a pedestal.

The way I see it, speaking te reo Ma¯ ori, entering the Pike River mine, returning a few fallen soldiers from the Korean and Vietnam wars, a million-dollar party for the boys and girls in the so-called justice system (what a laugh). Should be called the man-made law injustice system, preventing justice by judges so out of touch with reality, just like the central and local governments.

I cannot see any benefits for the elderly, employment for the young, improved housing, health, proper education, job training or anything else coming forth from Jacinda’s coalition Government to benefit either the people or the country.

We could be in for some rocky financial hardships with global economic and Brexit ahead. Why do politicians play their MMP brownie-scoring, looking after themselves at taxpayer expense?

A pretty young new face, if one would call it that, may be the highlight for many, but hey, not good having a mouth without the brains to present reality or responsibility. As the Bible quotes, the tongue may be small but also very evil in the wrong text, and I feel at present it is being used for evil, not good.

I question the cost of this latest taxation review, and believe it would have been far less costly to have done away with all taxation, and just imposed a flat transaction tax on every dollar, but hey, that would mean the wealthy would be required to pay tax, and would that not be an injustice for the big rich spender?

We cannot have that. It needs to be those who can least afford to pay that must keep paying to provide for the wealthy lifestyle. Always has been and always will be.

That’s what politics have always been about. To hell with the poor, the environment, eco-system or country, so the rich grow richer and the poor poorer.

Revolutions take place, with much killing of the poor by the wealthy, to protect their greed and lifestyle, so history shall continue, as has been the case since the beginning of mankind to this very day. JOHN BASSETT

Diggers’ Valley