LEAVING AUCKLAND
Thank you Western Leader for printing the August 9 article of a family who went to another area in order to get a home for themselves. I admire this family who were not looking for the state ie the taxpayer to provide one for them but found their own solution for housing themselves. I can fully understand the lengths some folk will go to to provide for themselves and it is refreshing to read such articles. I myself in order for my family to have a place of our own in late 1970s moved from the state house in the city to a scruffy piece of cheap land and put a kitset house on it. It was really tough going knocking it into shape, coin meter for power supply for two water pumps, clearing and painting on the bare necessities but the reward was having a place to call our own at a interest rate of 19.5 per cent. Also in those days they would not lend on second hand houses, you had to build. There is a true old saying you have to cut your cloth accordingly and this family is proof that everyone does not have to live in Auckland and there is affordable housing outside of Auckland. I know of other families who have done what this family has done it is just a pity we don’t hear of them in the media. The welfare state is there for a hand up not a hand out and there is only so much of the taxpayers’ money to go around. It frightens me to hear and see folk who can’t, won’t or want to provide for themselves and their families. Where have their basics gone along with their pride? There are solutions out there you just have to want and look for them. Back to the basics.
NICKIE FRYE
Massey
LICENSING TRUST
I agree with Norman Burden, Jason Green and others concerning the licensing trusts. Auckland has changed and their strangle hold of west Auckland too needs to change. I’d like to see less gimmicks from them, beer and wine available in supermarkets and better bars and restaurants.
BEN CARROLL
Glen eden