Letters, November 16: The puzzle of culture

Hone Harawira is a puzzle.

His name is a Maori version of the English name John Harrison, indicating at least one branch of his ancestry were members of the hated Pakeha colonists.

His latest appearance in the news was sparked off by a visit to Paris – presumably to see and admire the culture of the French – also Pakeha.

Which also raises the thought: if Hone/John feels that "his people" have been ripped off by the English, does he think they would have fared any better if France had been the colonial power?

It's worth considering.

JOHN NEAVE

Hamilton

Fireworks fizzer

For the past six weeks I have been tutoring a young Iranian three mornings a week in the intricacies of the English language and, as part of the cultural content, gave him the historical background of Guy Fawkes night.

I then told him that in all probability there would be a civic display and to confirm this I inquired at the council offices.

Nobody seemed to know anything about such an event and I was referred to the newly established information bureau in Garden Place.

Upon entering I found five young Maori women (good for the tourist image I guess): one was on reception and the other four were wrestling with their computers.

The receptionist was heavily involved in obtaining the price of various railway fares to Wellington but after waiting patiently for a quarter of an hour I interrupted to ask if she could tell me – yes or no – if there was to be a civic fireworks display in Hamilton.

Offhand, she did not know but her colleagues then came to her rescue and a search through the various advertising literature established the fact this was not to be.

My question is why not?

Other towns and cities have one. (Abridged)

FRANK BAILEY

Hamilton

Andy Moles

I applaud Andy Moles for his dignified and gentlemanly exit from New Zealand cricket and now Hamilton.

There's been no whining, no shooting his mouth off, no pot-shots at those who let him down.

It's a measure of the man that his parting words have been so gracious and complimentary. Warren Gatland could learn a few things from Andy Moles.

JONO RYAN

Hamilton

Fraud accusation

Peter Bos makes a serious allegation when he accuses Environment Waikato's Rates Control Team of fraud, saying promises made before being elected were not kept (Waikato Times, November 7).

The promise made by the Rates Control Team was to aim to keep rates to the rate of inflation.

The previous council had planned a 23 per cent rates increase for last year and a 21 per cent increase this year.

We achieved a 4 per cent average rate increase last year and a 5 per cent average increase this year – and this latter increase was raised to this amount as a result of hundreds of public submissions saying they were happy to have their rates increased to restore the Clean Streams initiative.

We listened to our ratepayers Mr Bos and did what they asked. Where then, is the fraud in this?

In the same article, Angela O'Leary makes a similar derogatory comment about the Rates Control Team. One has to wonder what these two councillors have been listening to if they consider the team approach has not worked.

At least the Rates Control Team have not voted for a $68 million plus events centre which Hamilton ratepayers will have to pay 2 1/2 times for over the loan period.

PAT GREGORY

Environment Waikato

Hamilton ward

What's fair?

Motorcycle levies are already 150 per cent more than cars, due to the risk factor assigned in their calculation by ACC.

This uneasy truce was shattered with proposed hikes of from 202 per cent to 436.8 per cent including mopeds and scooters, and only an 11.07 per cent increase for cars. We all pay GST (a tax on a tax) on registration and the petrol levy (Australians don't).

Nobody mentions the proposed 64.7 per cent increase in the non-work levy (all sports, off-road, etcetera) from PAYE tax. There are no risk factors assigned and no arguments about fault either, as with the motor vehicle levy.

We won't mention the alleged $77 per vehicle cross-subsidy of motorcycles, that nets ACC $207.9 million for a claimed shortfall of $48.9m.

I feel a hikoi protest drive to Wellington coming on. A disappearing $159m – $58.88 each – makes motorcyclists' problems look minor and motorists not so smug.

If the combined average motor vehicle levy amount of $417.28, a 145 per cent increase, was adopted, the arguments could end right there. It is fair; everyone pays the same regardless of fault or risk. It would be the promised honest conversation we want and would save National from being a one-term wonder.

BARRY McNAIR

Hamilton

Failing sniff test

So Fonterra are at it again.

It is not coincidence that the payout to farmers, whether good or bad "seems" to coincide with some secret long-term agenda the board needs to get past the farmer-owners.

The recent announcement of the dramatic increase in payout just days before the farmers vote on the election of three new board members fails the sniff test big time.

Even though the farmers were "softened up" with a record payout last year prior to the board trying to fudge the public listing past the shareholders, the farmers' sense of smell was acute enough to defeat the proposal with a resounding 92 per cent not in favour.

The current board is obviously way out touch with its employers and desperately needs new blood.

Well, guess what? The payout (announced after the farmer-shareholders threw out the public listing) dropped dramatically, and put most farmers under severe financial pressure. Then, lo and behold, days before the ballot papers are counted a massive increase in payout is announced. This is just another example of the current board failing the sniff test again. (Abridged)

BERNIE HASKELL

Hamilton

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