1080 charges fanatical and ill-informed

The disingenuous questions about 1080 from Tony Orman et al (Dec 24) have been answered many times. They simply choose to ignore those answers in their fanatical and ill–informed campaign to ban one of the few effective methods of controlling the threat to native birds and the spread of bovine TB.

The accusations they make against editors, the Department of Conservation, scientists and even the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment have also been made many times but never substantiated.

As Orman says, beech mast years have been occurring for millions of years but it is only on the past 150 years we have had introduced possums rats and stoats in the native forest to benefit from those years and then turn their attention to defenceless native birds.

New Zealand uses 1080, a nonselective toxin, because, unlike other countries, we have no native terrestrial animals to protect. The risk to birds is real but minimal.

Until there is an effective alternative to 1080, to stop using it would bring an ecological disaster of unforgivable proportions to native wildlife and farming. TOM O'CONNOR

St Andrews

Poverty in affluence

TV One News had an item recently depicting people being given food parcels from a mission outlet in Auckland ?

I asked myself, in Auckland? What is happening in our country?

I am80 and I can vividly remember being given three pence to stand in a queue for an aunt, too embarrassed to do so, to receive rations being handed out at the then New Brighton Borough Council yards.

This was in the late 1930s and at the almost end of a worldwide Depression.

I have lately witnessed this in the earthquake-devastated area such as the one I amin and I accept the plight of my neighbours and their need for succour and assistance.

But an area of affluence where Sky Towers, casinos and big spending mayors are the norm is indeed a surprising turnabout. Is this our future?

At my age it is not going to matter much, but for our kids something has got to be done to alleviate a problem that is worsening.

And it has got to be done sooner than later. WALLY WAKEFIELD

New Brighton

Not mayoral

In standing his ground, Mayor of Auckland Len Brown simply hasn’t grasped the point. A better man would acknowledge the effect his actions are having on the city and with quiet dignity step down. It is pointless to say his affair is just between him and his family.

Paid by the city to be someone they are proud of, the fact that he had time to spend on this affair shows he was neglecting his job.

His refusal to step down illustrates his true nature. Definitely not mayoral material. CHRISTINA SMITH

Spreydon