Letters to the Editor

Press, 19 July 1976, Page 16

Letters to the Editor

(1) Letters submitted for printing in this column must not exceed 150 words. They should be written in ink or preferably typed on one side of the paper. Ample space must be left in the margins and between lines for subediting marks. (2) Letters written over pen names or initials will not ordinarily be considered for publication. A legible signature and full postal address —not a P.O. Box number — are essential. (3) The correspondent must say whether the letter has been or is to be submitted elsewhere. The Editor does not undertake to acknowledge, hold, return or enter into correspondence on any etter not accepted for publication. S.L.W. —Too personal and too long. Olympic Gaines Sir, —All those who condemn recent “political interference” in the Olympic Games ignore the fact that the modern Olympic festival is as much a political event as it is a sporting contest. Athletes are selected to represent particular political units and are supported by Government funds. They travel together, live together and train together as national teams. They compete in national colours. National anthems are played and flags are flown at victory ceremonies. The successes of their athletes put countries

"on the map” and enhance national prestige. How well would New Zealand be known without Lovelock, Williams, Halberg, Snell, the rowing eight and, indeed, the All Blacks? The only way to remove politics from the Olympic Games is to prohibit all political symbols so that, athletes compete simply as individuals. It was the competition between individuals that was the essence of the Olympic ideal that originated in ancient Greece. Today, it is the country (and its political system) that is glorified, not the athlete.—Yours, etc., D. C. JOHNSTON. July 16, 1976. Sir,—P. Neville (“The Press,” July 16) hit the nail on the head with his observation that “there is no money in sport” (are you really serious?) "so it can easily be sacrificed for the sake of some valuable (sic) publicity.” Provided, of course, that O.A.U. members’ trade with South Africa is not disturbed. It must now be quite evident that the O.A.U. cannot be taken seriously in their public breast-beating (vide the fate of Mrs Bloch in Uganda, and the KenyanUgandan relationship). Their recent pious pontifications have hit a new low in cynicism. And now the latest news flash that 16 O.A.U. members have stated that they reserve the right to compete if New Zealand is allowed to take part. Can’t you just picture them: one hand, on heart, eyes raised piously to heaven; with the other hand outstretched for whatever New Zealand can spare in aid.—Yours, etc., HARVEY FOSS. July 16, 1976. Abortion Sir, —That a problem such as to abort or not to abort has arisen at all is because women do not have a legalised right of choice within New Zealand. It is a pity that a lack of choice is not directed at men and their free will to procreate or not to procreate. The facts of life must surely mean something more than sex in a country so concerned with education as New Zealand.—Yours, etc., ROSIE ISABEL WITTY. July 16, 1976. Newspaper strikes Sir, — Congratulations to the intrepid few who produced the mini-Presses of July 15 and 16. It was a pleasure to read basic news,, undiluted with sensational gossip and scandal. The magnates might not make big profits from restrained

handling of the news, but I am sure New Zealand would be a more wholesome country in which to live. I doubt if our “empire builders” — ranging from bikies to parliamentarians — would exercise their egos quite so strongly were the journalists not standing ready to blow up every word and action.—Yours, etc.. E. MARTIN. July 16, 1976. Urban marae Sir,—Your correspondent G. W. Watson must have faulty eyesight. The article did not claim I was leader of all Maoris nor did it mention any society. The Otautahi Christchurch Maori Committee is an administrative statutory body formed by the Government under the Maori Welfare Act, 1962. Its area of administration is Christchurch City. It is under the jurisdiction of the South Island District Council, Department of Maori Affairs, and the New Zealand Maori Council. Every city and major town in New Zealand has a Maori committee, which is responsible for the administration of the Maori wardens, court representation, Maori welfare, land redress and—a good point for your correspondent to remember—the committee also recommends any applications from Maori projects for Government subsidies. My predecessor, the late Mr A. K. Hopa, is my grand-uncle, I am of the Ngai Tahu tribe and claim descent from Otautahi and Tu Rakotahi.—Yours, etc., RONGOTEHENGIA NIHO-. NIHO, Chairman, Otautahi Christchurch Maori Committee. July 15, 1976. Bicycle lamps Sir,—My two teen-age sons and I have had constant trouble with bicycle lights for some years. We are rarely fortunate enough all to have a back and front light operating at the same time. We have had two types of back and front lights, from Hong Kong and Britain I believe, plus dynamos, but they all let one down. It is essential to have safe lighting in the dark and is required by the traffic code. I would like to know how’ we are to get reliable lamps. The shops are not necessarily to blame. I believe they have to take the little they can obtain. I hope the Transport Department or some ingenious manufacturer can please come up with an answer.—Yours, etc., BRIDGET STEYN. July 16, 1976. Sir,—l was interested to see some response to my previous letter regarding bicycle lamps. In particular the comment by Emma H. Baxter (June 12) regarding customer resistance by riding without lamps. Some time ago I wrote to the Minister of Transport. His reply of May 14 is as quoted: “It is the responsibility of the rider of any bicycle to ensure that the lighting on his bicycle meets the requirements of the Traffic Regulations. In this respect the suitability of the equipment is a matter between the purchaser and the

manufacturer. The purchaser influences the design of the product by his or her preference when purchasing.” All the manufacturers live in Britain, Hong Kong and Japan. An interesting point is that motor-cycle helmets, windscreens, seat belts, etc., are controlled by the setting up of a New Zealand standard covering them. There is no New Zealand standard for bicycle lamps. —Yours, etc., T. D. KERR. July 15, 1976. Rugby tours Sir, — The late Norman Kirk said before the 1972 election that Labour would not interfere with sport. However as world pressure against apartheid in South Africa grew and the threat of internal strife if the proposed Springbok tour went ahead, the Labour Party had to change its mind. Any Government and Prime Minister are elected to do their best for the people not rugby. By not condoning the tour they showed very strongly how we stood on the apartheid question. The present Government has cast suspicion on New Zealand with its weak policy of noninterference. I am disappointed also with members of the Rugby Union, who behaved like spoilt children who must play with their little ball no matter what cost to anyone else. I once supported the tour and shudder to think that I even thought there was a place for apartheid in South Africa. Thank God some of us can change our minds. — Yours, R. J. FRAME. July 16, 1976. Sir, —Despite what Messrs Richards and Newnham appear to accept as a gospel fact, it is possible to be both anti-apartheid, and pro-tour. I, like most native bom New Zealanders, respect the right of any person, regardless of race, colour, or creed, to walk, talk, eat, sleep, or live where they will. Equally as strongly, I do not expect to have two very, and I repeat very, small minority groups tell me whom I should watch at sport. Surely, any tour, or other event for that matter, that puts a chink in the armour can be nothing but welcome? In the name of tolerance, could not all people view this tour for what it brings — joy and entertainment to many thousands of people, both black and white? — Yours, etc., B. A. O'KEEFE. July 16, 1976. Roadside stock Sir, —I am grazing sheep on a road. Cars from the ski fields are travelling too fast on approaching the sheep, almost hitting them. In half an hour I took the number of 12 guilty drivers. I signal early that there are sheep ahead, but this is ignored. Perhaps most drivers are not aware of the road code concerning passing animals.— Yours, etc., R. J. GLANVILLE Greendale. July 16, 1976.

Overseas borrowing Sir, —I cannot recall that Mr Muldoon ever made any secret of the fact that he was going to have to borrow money from any suitable source to repay loans borrowed by Messrs Rowling and Tizard while we were "not having a recession.” And personally I found that inflation was denting my budget way back when Mr Tizard was declaring that he was not going to be known as a “Frosty Fingers Nordmeyer.” It is all very well for Mr Falconer to state that it does not matter if a country only balances its Budget every 30 years. His friends were too keen on short-term finance, which is now having to be repaid. If there has been any misleading, it has been by our last Government, which refused to face facts, which governed by indecision, and

waited for miracles which were not forthcoming. — Yours, etc., V. COPLAND. July 15, 1976. [This correspondence is now closed.—Editor] British National Front Sir, — You have seen fit to publish the statements of those such as Messrs Gerwitz, Rose, and Read who wish for various reasons to smear the National Front and its leaders. May I as a staunch supporter "of the front ask if in fairness, you are prepared to grant 'Mr John Tyndall, its leader, similar space to reply to the vicious and unfounded attacks made upon himself and the party in last Saturday's article? — Yours, etc., B. B. THOMPSON. July 16, 1976.