Editorial: Don't let biscuits hamper backing

OPINION: Whether or not it's a storm in a teacup probably depends on whether you like dunking biscuits in your tea, but it does seem the reaction to problems with part of this year's delivery of Girl Guide biscuits has been a little over the top.

Then again, it probably depends on one's point of view. Those with a particular affection for the plain variety of the biscuits likely have a little more cause than buyers of the chocolate-covered derivatives to be down in the mouth.

That, of course, is because the concerns raised about the biscuits this year relate only to the plain ones. But it's only their appearance at issue, not their taste or texture.

A letter distributed to parents and caregivers of those in the wider guiding movement in New Zealand yesterday probably elicited a few chuckles by declaring that the changed appearance of the biscuits was the result of "teething problems" with a new baking line at the Griffin's factory in Auckland.

But the affair is not exactly a laughing matter for GirlGuiding New Zealand, given that the annual national sales drive that took place this week is the movement's major fundraiser. Its financial health is largely dependent on the success of its young salesforce in moving the popular biscuits each year.

That means anything that impacts significantly on those sales is a major blow to the organisation.

Which is clearly why chief executive Ruth Teasdale saw fit to write to parents and caregivers yesterday.

Of course, it's just as big a concern for Griffin's, which produces the biscuits. It surely is a big annual contract and, without any knowledge of the terms of that deal, one has to conclude that the company would not like to put it in jeopardy.

Hence the company's agreement to compensate those with complaints about the biscuits they've bought with either twice the amount of chocolate guide biscuits or a biscuit voucher, though claimants will have to provide certain details in order to receive the compensation. It's an offer that will certainly cost the company.

In all of this, what none of us should lose sight of is what we're talking about here. Sure there are biscuits in the spotlight, and we like our biscuits in this part of the world, but the reason for buying them is to support an organisation that does a huge amount for girls across a wide age range.

Exposing them to challenging situations, instilling important skills and teaching them to work as part of a team are just some of the things the various groups that make up the guiding movement do for Kiwi girls.

That is what this is all about, so while we may be a trifle miffed that some of the biscuits look a little strange, we shouldn't allow that to stop us backing a worthy cause.

- © Fairfax NZ News