Letters, March 1: Mixing up grid girls

The front page story "First girl on grid" (Waikato Times, February 19), evoked an uneasy sense of deja vu to the early 1960s, when beauty pageants were the norm.

Girls get mixed messages these days. They are encouraged to get an education and go for unusual jobs. Indeed, their educational achievement has been higher than boys' for decades. However, when it's time for the V8s, it all goes back to women being "objectified". According to Brooke Palmer, organiser, candidates for "griddom" "should be between 18 and 28, about 165 to 170 centimetres tall and be smart and attractive". She might as well ask them their bra size and be done with it. What do "unattractive" girls do? Stay at home and study of course.

Morgan Morris, the "lucky" first grid girl, describes her boyfriend being a bit nervous about other guys groping her.

The fact she feels the need to mention this, even with qualification, says it all.

Ironically, both Brooke Palmer and Morgan Morris are blonde. Men often use this adjective to describe "dumb" women. Can women be smart and attractive?

ROBYN SMITH

Hamilton

Seabed minefield

I have read Lyttelton Port of Christchurch is planning a $100 million project to deepen the harbour channel by four metres. The company has applied for resource consents for dredging work which will involve cutting away 10.7 million cubic metres of seabed.

In June 1941, the German auxiliary minelayer Adjutant laid two small minefields on the seabed off Lyttelton and Wellington harbours.

The existence of these magnetic mines did not become known until after World War II and as they were "probably defective" and not likely to be a danger to shipping, they were left undisturbed.

These mines may now be dangerously unstable and any movement during dredging work might have disastrous consequences.

MURRAY DEAR

Hamilton

Get the picture?

The broadcasting minister wants to reconfigure Radio NZ services. The justice minister is repealing the Electoral Finance Act to allow third parties to spend what they like during election campaigns (we know who has the money and motivation to do this). GST is rising to 15 per cent and taxes will be reduced for the rich. Meanwhile, we will all soon be able to vote on whether we like mixed member proportional voting (MMP) or whether we should go back to first past the post or any other voting system which none of us understands. Anyone getting a picture of the future? With the inequity and shambles this will all produce, there will be good arguments against democracy and strong ones for a board to manage the country. Who needs democracy and what it stands for?

M MILDON

Hamilton

Contradictions

In response to M Mildon's letter, "National delivering" Waikato Times (February 22):

You quote Martin Luther King in saying nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

Now this statement is true enough, however even I, at 16 years old, can see the hypocrisy this brings to your letter.

You state unemployment is at the highest in more than a decade and then go on to slam the mining scheme. A scheme that will create not only jobs but also wealth for the country, wealth needed to make the promise of a Huntly to Tamahere expressway that you complain about, a reality.

You fail to see the brilliance of National's tax changes.

New Zealand is one of the most indebted countries and by giving all workers more take home pay and increasing GST National is encouraging the population to pay off debts and save money, rather than spending on unnecessary items beyond their means. So yes I agree with you, sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity reign, but only in the minds of those who agree with your letter. (Abridged)

SEAN JOHNSON

Hamilton

How much?

Recently I went to the Hamilton East NZ PostShop to post two items: a parcel to Australia and a letter containing photographs to family in Te Awamutu.

The teller weighed the overseas parcel and applied the appropriate fee, and then informed me that the standard envelope containing the photographs required a 50-cent stamp. I queried this as it was rather a thick package. She assured me she was correct and so this was duly attached and my items posted. Surprise. Surprise.

Two days later the envelope containing the photographs arrived back in my mailbox with a label indicating an additional $1 postage was required as this was not a standard letter. I then returned to the same PostShop and asked what postage the letter required? The teller said 50c was OK and it should have been delivered.

Her colleague suggested the first teller should check the letter fitted through a slot in a gauge card.

As the envelope proved to be slightly over the 6mm allowed, I was then asked for an additional $1 to deliver the letter as the correct postage was deemed to be $1.

My response was that as I had already placed a 50c stamp on the letter I should only have to provide an additional 50c. I was informed I had to pay for a complete new service as apparently I had already got my 50c worth with the return of my mail to my home.

No apology was forthcoming and it was obviously my fault for believing what they said about the required postage.

I was told "that" was the system and it could not be changed.

I feel I was ripped off – so much for NZ Post's slogan, "People reaching people".

GRANT JOHNSON

Hamilton

Scott Pollard, NZ Post, replies: NZ Post would like to apologise to Mr Johnson for the experience he reports at the Hamilton East PostShop.

Mr Johnson is correct that the envelope should have been measured for correct postage at the outset.

We accept he made efforts to ensure the right amount of postage was applied and took the advice of the teller.

His subsequent experience on returning to the PostShop was unfortunate as PostShop outlets have some discretion in cases where errors demonstrably arise from incorrect advice by staff.

These are considered on a case by case basis.

We have spoken to the PostShop manager and staff about this matter.

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