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Press, 2 July 1985, Page 20

GST proposal Sir,—Frank Walmsley says he is surprised that trade unions are the only organisations consistently opposed to GST. Social Credit has been opposed to sales taxes, whether they be GST, retail sales taxes, or whatever, for quite a long time, and have a 1975 manifesto to prove it. There is also an assorted bunch of people who may spend more time opposing GST once the rugby tour is over.—Yours, etc., J. C. RING. June 28, 1985. Aid to Lesotho Sir,—The Rev. John Osmers is in New Zealand on furlough. Is it possible for him to inform those people of Christchurch who supported the Lions project to provide a tractor for use in his parish in Lesotho, who is responsible for overseeing it now that he has moved to Botswana? Many people are unaware that a South African Lions Club purchased the tractor after investigating the area and type of work it would be undertaking to ensure correct equipment was supplied. A South African went into Lesotho to train the operators to use and maintain it efficiently. Would Canon Osmers confirm that the Lions Club of Benoni, after

visiting him and assessing his needs, did not hesitate to purchase a secondhand truck, overhauled at their expense, then loaded it with medical supplies and delivered it? There is misguided criticism of South Africans and it is time we learned to appreciate that there are two sides to every story. —

Yours, etc., I. PLOWRIGHT. June 23, 1985. [Canon John R. Osmers replies: “I gladly acknowledge both the details and the substance of my friend lan Plowright’s letters, and thank him in particular for helping to carry forward the projects he mentioned. The tractor was most generous help to one of the poorest areas of Lesotho in a time of political crisis. It was placed in the legal ownership of Sodepax, the development arm of the Christian Council of Lesotho, and administered by the Quthing Council of Churches. Unfortunately, since leaving the parish I have not had an ongoing account of its use. lan Plowright’s letter raises the important point that there are white South Africans who are genuinely concerned for black development, and some have made great sacrifices for liberation in that country. This reinforces the lesson that the struggle for freedom is not against

white people as such, but against a particular political and economic system. The details Mr Plowright mentions of inter-racial friendship are a Christian sign today of the possibility of an ultimate integrated country in which the races will live together in peace.”] Roading inquiry Sir,—Could the Christchurch City Council please confirm Cr Helen Garrett’s reported remark (“The Press,” June 25) that the hearing this month by the Planning Tribunal would be a “completely independent inquiry on transport in Christchurch”. If the council does confirm this claim, it should inform the public how they are able to take part in this inquiry.—Yours, etc., C. I. ABERNETHY. June 27, 1985. Rugby tour opponent Sir,—Having “lived in South Africa for most of his life,” would not Robert Stanley (June 29) concede that, if Arnold Stofile has a “genuine hatred for white people,” it is, as far as white South Afaricans are concerned, perfectly justified?—Yours, etc., M. CREEL. June 29, 1985.