National Party loan

Press, 10 August 1985, Page 18

National Party loan

Sir—Before Mr James Baker replies to letters to the editor he should read them carefully. The financial standing of any person was not mentioned in my letter. It is not my business, or that of anyone else. Regardless to whom the loan was made Mr James Baker should, without any fuss, state whether he supports or otherwise, that public donations be used to finance a secret loan. — Yours etc, JACK STEFFENS. August 8, 1985. Freedom from A.I.D.S. Sir,—G. V. Orange’s suggestion on freedom from A.I.D.S. is brilliant, and the ramifications endless. For example, to cheer your many rural readers, why cannot Canterbury be declared a drought-free zone. However, I am puzzled by his choice of A.I.D.S. as a first priority. The number of A.I.D.S. victims in New Zealand is far fewer than the number of murder victims. Ought we not be looking therefore at a crime-free zone first. I agree that such a zone raises the problem of what to do with redundant policemen. Perhaps they could be retained in a purely ceremonial role — as the armed forces have been for some time. If such a zone is acceptable, the rent-a-crowd department of the Government would have to arrange the usual spontaneous marches by selected sincere and caring persons. Then, all that would be required would be a suitably simple statement from the Prime Minister. — Yours, etc., S. J. HALES. Amberley, August 9, 1985. [We can do without any more suggestions for declaratory actions of freedom — in other words, this correspondence is now closed. — Editor.)