Local art more relevant than imports

Our company has promoted and supported Kiwi performing arts acts to tour for over 30 years as I was determined to avoid cultural cringe.

In the spirit of this policy, I maintain the recent Sam Mahon sculpture of Nick Smith has more current and future relevance to the collection of the Christchurch Art Gallery than a Ron Muerk.

The importation of international sculptures, such as the Gormleys and Muerks, overlooks and does little to encourage the talent within the country.

In terms of costs there is no comparison and I note we are requested to publicly contribute to the purchasing of the Muerk. Buy local. It is good. Steve Thomas General Manager, Arts On Tour

Water quantity, quality linked

Patrick Smellie (September 21) naively says water debate is about quality not quantity. But if you lessen the quantity of flow then the concentration of contaminants is logically increased. Try telling the public flow isn’t important when the Irwell and Selwyn rivers are dry shingle beds in summer.

Nor does Smellie mention other causes of flow depletion such as pine forests that suck much more water from the ecosystem than native forest.

The Government is so hooked on growth that it becomes like a dog chasing its tail.

Like or not, to many Kiwis, a major election issue is water. Bill Benfield Co-chairman, Council of Outdoor Recreation Assns