Letters to the Editor

Press, 12 July 1984, Page 12

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 sub-editing 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 tetter has been or is to be submitted elsewhere. The Editor does not undertake to acknowledge, hold, return or enter into correspondence on any letter not accepted for publication. (4) Address letters to the Editor, “The Press,” P.O. Box 1005 Christchurch. N.K.K. — You have made your point. M.B. — Your complaint should be addressed to the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation. S.J.F. — You must frequent different hotels. McG.S., 1.D.C., M.R.O'B. - Too long. R.G.H. — P.O. Box number insufficient address. M.W. — A matter for your former employer and the television channel. M. O’N. — Hart should head your invitation.

regular overseas trips. At that time there was sufficient talent in the party to select another leader for the 1981 election, which National would have won by a greater margin, thus boosting the sagging morale of the party faithful while at the same time ridding the country of Muldoonism, which has brought New Zealand to the brink of bankruptcy. — Yours, etc., L. WESTNEY. July 10, 1984. Sir,—ln view of the election campaign personality attacks by the Prime Minister on members of other parties and in particular the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Lange, I would like to state my disgust at this behaviour. I hope the constituents this time will not be deceived by these tactics as surely many of them will recall Sir Robert's last election attacks on Sir Wallace Rowling, a man unmistakeably on par with such men as Sir John Marshall and the late Sir Keith Holyoake — polite, gentleman-like and soft-spoken, unlike our overbearing Prime Minister. — Yours, etc., J. P. STUART. July 10, 1984. Sir,—Mr Lange, on the economic position of the country, says he cannot decide anything until he has seen the books. When so much information is available in reports, the press, etc., one wonders what he has done in Parliament beyond opposing everything. Is he seeking a let-out so that after seeing them he can say things are worse than he expected and he is not going to do anything of importance? He blames class sizes for low attainment in reading and writing, and suggests smaller classes in the primers. Fifty years ago children learnt to read and write in larger classes when more time was spent on English and different methods were used. Little if any grammar is taught and many young teachers know no grammar. How can anyone construct anything properly without a knowledge of the function of the component parts? Lower class sizes alone will not be a cure. — Yours, etc. C. M. DRIVER. July 10, 1984. Sir, — A speaker on the' radio this morning told us about the packaging and presenting of Richard Nixon on television as a Presidential candidate. Never mind what the issues were, he had the television presentation and that was all that mattered. Is that not what is happening in this election with Mr Lange? He is being presented commercially packaged, and presented the same as a motor car or soap powder. He is being presented as a second Messiah who has a cure for everything. No-one is looking at what is behind the image. It is certainly evident that our so-called impartial and unbiased television news is giving him a free ride all the way. I trust voters will think before they vote. — Yours, etc., G. STEWART. July 10, 1984. Sir, — Mr Knox, the president of the Federation of Labour, is seen on television displaying the Labour Party’s insignia and making no pretence of the fact that he is eager to do business with the Labour Party if it is elected. This represents a step down for New Zealand. I believe the Prime Minister’s future big industries programmes are convincing and will prove a step up for our country. Trust and patience are needed. — Yours, etc., A. DELHANTY. July 10, 1984.

Sir — Scaremongering about our export trade to the United States over A.N.Z.U.S. is a dead issue. The United States needs New

Zealand too much as a base in war and a jumping off ground for Antarctica for it to make too many changes in trade just so that nuclear vessels can visit.— Yours, etc., D. G. HEARD, Oxford. July 10, 1984. Sir,—This morning I heard the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence give opposing views on United States nuclear ships visiting our ports. Sir Robert Muldoon denies that they carry nuclear weapons, Mr Thompson hints that they may. The former has no proof he is right when the United States Naval Command refuses to answer the question. Voters know where all the opposition parties stand. Only National is vague, and time to explain is short. — Yours, etc.,

A. M. COATES. July 10, 1984.