Letters to the Editor

Press, 3 October 1979, Page 18

Letters to the Editor

(1) Letters submitted tor printing in this column must not exceed 150 words They should be written in ink or preferably tvped on one side of the paper. Ample space must oe left tn the margins ano Detween lines for subediting marks (2) Letters written over pen names or initials will not or imariiv De consideied tor publication A legible signature and a full postal address —not a P O Box numberare essential (3) The cm. ..undent 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 letter nor accepted for publication. (4) Address tetters to the Editor, to ‘The Press.” PO. Box 1005 Christchurch Solo parents’ benefit Sir, — I fully support the latest action by the Government to cut solo parents’ benefits. When a solo mother with one child receives substantially more for sitting at home doing nothing, than I do for working a 40-hour week, then it is time something was done. Because of the monetary gain in being a solo parent, women are better off if they leave their husbands. They then qualify for a low-interest loan which many breadline married couples with children, who are struggling to establish a home simply cannot get. The social system in our country is one whereby the State assumes primary responsibility for the. welfare of its citizens. Of late, the word “citizens” seems to apply to solo parents, the unemployed, the refugees, and the rest of those who live comfortably on the taxes paid by hardworking people. — Yours, DEBBIE K. BROWN. October 2, 1979.

Solo parents’ benefit Sir, — So Mrs Shona Arnold is going on a fast because her benefit is to be reduced $2O a fortnight. She gets $193. She has one son, a washing machine, refrigerator and floor coverings. Pays only $l4 for a State house. My fortnightly pay is $2lO. I have a wife and two preschool children, old carpet, a run down refrigerator (on loan) and my wife does all the washing by hand. We put away $lOO a fortnight just to cover the mortgage and rates. That is a big difference to her $2B. I am working hard to support my family and there are many young couples like us. I realise that there are some solos who need help and these I support, but not someone in Mrs Arnold’s position. — Yours, L. GREENAWAY. October 1, 1979. Forest reserves Sir, — In reply to P. S. Grant (October 2), proposed extensions of the Nelson Lakes-Lake Sumner National Parks are most upsetting to “the locals” not only because they would affect privately owned land but also because they would take away from the freedom of all New Zealanders, including locals, to make reasonable use of Crown Land. Why lock up large tracts of this free country and enforce the petty bureaucratic restrictions that would be imposed along with national park status? We could all leave our guns, dogs, horses, gold pans, tomahawks, motor-bikes, opossum traps and four-wheel drives at home, walk the gravelled, signposted bush tracks, camp in the designated areas and look at the view over a ranger’s shoulder. Sure, if there is a problem, reasonable controls are necessary but total control' as a national park, with unnecessary restrictions, is neither warranted nor welcome. Conservationist pressure groups, and other environmental extremists should be ignored. — Yours, etc., ALAN BLACKADDER. October 2, 1979. Sir, — It was not until the Forest Service made its intentions known as regards logging in the Maruia that the Native Forests Action Council stepped in with the Maruia Declaration. The terrific support that their petition gained showed that a great number of people were concerned about the future of Maruia. However, since the proposed national park scheme has been made public some of the N.F.A.C. supporters have had a change of heart, mainly I believe because of the fact that some farmlands were within the park boundaries. I am opposed to any farm-

land being included in the park but 1 support the N.F.A.C. in its efforts to protect the forests. Many people visit the Maruia Valley to enjoy the freedom which we hope to retain. If it couid be shown that making a national park does not interfere with the livelihood of farmers or mining in the area then I for one would support the scheme. Yours, etc., M. FERGUSON, Springs Junction. October 1, 1979. Corso decision Sir, — At least 600 cases of child abuse annually dealt with by the Social Welfare Department (“The Press,” October 1). Do we really want to know? Professor James Ritchie made the point that grinding poverty can be a prime stress factor leading to abuse. “Corso tried to tell us that.” It is good to see and hear people of the Professor’s stature making a stand. We obviously must look for our leaders outside the political field. — Yours, etc., (Mrs) JILL WILCOX. October 1, 1979. Sir, — It saddens me that in the name of Christianity there are people such as D. H. Godfrey (September 29) who baulk at the word “political.” As an incarnational faith, Christianity is the most materialistic of all religions. Because God came to us in the flesh, he demonstrated his concern for all aspects of human life including the physical, economic and, yes, political. The word derives from the Greek “polis,” meaning “city”. Political matters are simply those that concern man because he is a member of society, call them ethical, political or what one will according to approach. Christianity, to be true to its Founder, must be as concerned with the salvation of society as with that of the individual soul. The manward task of the “saved” individual is to permeate society. (He may not gloat in isolation.) Identification with organisations like Corso in its cry for social justice is indeed a part thereof. — Yours, etc., (Mrs) J. P. JOHNSTON, Hokitika. October 1, 1979. Discussion on adultery Sir, — In response to J. Horn’s letter (September 29), adultery is not so much humorous as it is fun, which is probably why it is so com-mon-place. To coin a phrase: adultery starts in the home. If one’s domestic circumstances are less than ideal, it is much easier and more pleasant to look for solace outside one’s marriage than to try to improve the situ-

ation at home. A deplorably lazy hedonistic attitude, I agree; but J. Horn’s attitude of feeling “assaulted” by “immorality” is as much a refusal to face the problem as committing adultery is. — Yours, etc., G. F. C. WESTERMANN. September 29, 1979. Help for native bird Sir, — Mr Jim Baggstrbm, Baden Norris and other devoted beings should be accorded an accolade for their dedication in trying to save the life of a native bird. It was also encouraging to read that Mr Richards contacted these sources for the rescue of the lame bird suffering distress, and drove 80 kilometres to bring it to care. I would wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to those who give their time and thoughts. — Yours, etc. NATALIE TAYLOR. October 1, 1979. Anglo-Irish relations Sir, — Your correspondents D. J. Leahy and M. Creel (October 1) in response to your editorial (September 27) appear to be not too far off the mark, as to the root causes of the continual violence in Northern Ireland. New Zealand has been fed, for too long, a one-sided version of the troubles, through the Northern Ireland press. It is good that “The Press” now presents a more balanced reportage than possible in the past. I do question M. Creel’s comment that there is no conflict between the 5 per cent in the south and the Roman Catholic majority. These were called lhe tame protestants. 1 know one that was not. However, what is more important is that New Zealand society does not allow itself again to be so influenced by the transported bigotry from Belfast. Are we not known as a fair people? New Zealand schoolchildren should be encouraged to study the history of Ireland, beginning at Drogheda. — Yours, etc., NESSIE VIAL. October 1, 1979. Kampuchean Govt Sir, — I am appalled at the absence of an outcry over the fact that New Zealand has supported a proposal that the Pol Pot Government represent Kampuchea in the United Nations. I hold no brief for the Vietnamese, but whatever their misdeeds they have rid the world of an unspeakably bestial regime. Thirty-five years ago the Allies invaded Germany to achieve the same end. If Kampuchea is to be represented by the Pol Pot Government on the basis that Pol Pot was overthrown by a foreign invasion, then surc]j- Germany should be represented at the U.N. by the

Nazis, since Hitler was also overthrown by a foreign invasion. Has everybody gone mad? Or is the slaughter of, (at the very least), hundreds of thousands of Kampucheans by their own Government to be regarded merely as a rather acute form of political disenfranchisement, which is none of our business? — Yours, etc., A. K. GRANT. October 2, 1979. The economy Sir, — I read (“The Press,” October 1) that the Commission for the Future publishing a number of booklets encouraging public discussion and submissions about possible directions of future development of our society, In the meantime, the Government has made decisions on energy policy that have committed our nation to vast (per capita) financial and material expenditures, anc. consequently to certain patterns of large-scale industrialisation and economic organisation. The Prime Minister seems anxious to discredit, stifle, or dismember anyone who suggests that present Government policy is anything but exemplary. Other departments answer letters of inquiry or protest with sanctimonious implication that a better reading of the facts will lead to enlightenment, (vis. Government thinking). I suggest that the Commission for the Future is acting merely as a gratuitous sop to popular outcry, and as a propaganda tool fostering the politically expedient pretence that the Government is even entertaining any change to the status quo. — Yours, etc., MARTIN P. O’CONNOR. October 1, 1979. Apathy Sir, — Everywhere can be heard the use of the word “apathy” or “apathetic” when talk and discussion of today’s deeds and tomorrow’s actions are voiced. This indolence of mind, of indifference, exists in all of today’s decisions, whether it be in the service clubs, the lodges or the churches. It appears to be “what’s the use of trying to do anything to help the state of affairs with which I am confronted.” Am I right that apathy flies out of the window when basic existence is threatened and those threatened have a healthy body? Has anyone found an immediate cure for this apathy? It stands out in the announcement that there will be no capping festivities this year because of apathy. Do we have to learn and practise the getting rid of apathy like learning and practising positive thinking or must our basic existence be threatened by those who take over when apathy predominates? — Yours, etc., G. P. L. BRETHERTON. October 1, 1979.

Blank ammunition Sir, — I thank Major Goodman and the Army ammunition technicians for their answer to my question on .303 calibre blank ammunition, (September 26). The question arose after recent discussions on the decision of senior Army officers to use blank ammunition for a dress-rehearsal of a Queen’s Birthday parade in Fiji. Neither the correct material nor equipment were available for making the real thing and despite warnings of the possible disastrous result it was decided to use blank ammunition made in the manner I described; it was required in two days. The ammunition was supplied and the result was as predicted, spasmodic pops and bangs interspersed with showers of still burning propellant and shellac — a real firework display. As the Army technicians say, it could be dangerous, but then orders is orders. — Yours, etc., J. FLOWERS. October 1, 1979. “The Possibilities of Man” Sir, — In his comment oi. the title of “The Possibilities of Man”. (“The Press,” September 29), Professor Strongman seemed to forget that he had only read Part J of a three-part book. Possibilities are not probabilities, and it could be that the tone of the professor’s review will reduce the probability that the undeveloped possibilities of ordinary men and women will be more fully realised in mv lifetime. Professor Strongman seemed to find rnv work on acquired interests new, but instead of commenting on its originality, he used the more negative phrase, ‘ideas which break with tradition.” He said mv prescriptions for education1 st ® • .make good reading” but did not recommend that teachers or those concerned about education should buv my book. Finally, no ment'o" made of the fact that 10 prominent citiziens to whom I will be eternally grateful, including one doctor of science and the New Zealand president of Round ‘l,. financially assited its publication. — Yours, etc MARK D. SADLER October 1, 1979.