Letters to the Editor: No magic fix to global crisis but we still have it a lot better than most
Economic crisis is more than an NZ issue
Surely the recent rioting and protesting around the world proves to New Zealanders that the cost-of-living crisis is worldwide and not the blame of our current coalition Government shambles.
It wouldn’t matter who was in government; the economic crisis is beyond their control.
It is a similar case with our medical services coming up short. This is a global crisis. All countries are short of doctors and money to fix the problem.
There is no magic fix. But what we have is still a lot better than the rest of the world.
Be careful what you vote for.
Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki.
We’re in this together
Herald correspondent Vivian Fergusson (Oct 21) is correct – the destructive French riots are a warning to us all.
Widening inequalities fueled by tax reductions and paying for it by cutting public services and jobs is a recipe for social disorder.
Making life a struggle for many while encouraging the concentration of wealth in a few hands undermines social cohesion and democracy.
Building strong foundations is a much better option than trickling down from the top. Dividing society up into the haves and the have-nots only undermines stability. Likewise, marginalising whole groups and excluding them from the conversation inevitably builds up frustration and resentment.
We are all in this together and we must face up to the huge challenges we face as a collective society, not as competing self-centred individuals simply out for ourselves.
Jeff Hayward, Auckland.
Taxing issue
Once again we see the liquidation of a substantial organisation, Ascend Works, owing millions of dollars to affected parties.
As invariably happens in these cases, the Inland Revenue Dept is owed substantial money and is a main creditor in the form of GST, payroll deductions and personal or company taxes.
It is important to note that these are really losses that the taxpayer bears, as the majority of the tax owed is supposedly money that it is collecting on behalf of the Government.
Being an old accountant, I can well remember the Mercantile Gazette, which gives information such as company formations, dissolutions, etc every two weeks. It was an essential tool for business financial information, and its reporting could be enhanced to incorporate such matters.
The Government needs to introduce legislation that enables the reporting of businesses/individuals that are behind in remitting monies collected on behalf of the Government as tax obligations are often the easiest to defer. With this information available to interested parties, they could then decide if they wanted to continue to take the risk of dealing with that business.
As the Government is the recipient of tax collected, it has an obligation to ensure that it is collected in a timely manner and should call out those that fall behind, as they could be trading insolvently.
Peter Burn CA, Gulf Harbour.
Define democracy
David Seymour suggests another democracy in the Pacific Forum is a good thing. I think his assertion that Israel currently operates as a democracy needs to be challenged. In lands Israel occupies, the occupied are not able to vote in Israeli elections, let alone stand for office – a basic hallmark of a true democracy. They are not needed in the Pacific Forum.
Jason Conway, Green Bay.
Memories of Raetihi
Your feature article about the decay of the King Country town of Raetihi (Oct 17) brought back many memories of my childhood.
I attended Raetihi Primary School in the late 1940s. Raetihi was a flourishing small town of 1200 inhabitants, typical of many in New Zealand. It was akin to growing up in the country.
My father was headmaster from 1946-1950. He had served in the New Zealand Army in World War II in the Pacific in New Zealand’s 3rd Division, in Guadalcanal and Nissan Island. He had certainly done his bit for his country.
After the war in the 40s and 50s, rising energy prices resulted in the decline of towns such as Raetihi, Ohakune and other similar small towns. Rural New Zealand was neglected, and for what gain? Raetihi was a great place to grow up in, and it is sad to see how it has changed.
Tony Lewis, Takapuna.
E-scooter risks
It’s time high-speed e-scooters were stopped from using the likes of Wynyard Quarter.
The crowds are enjoying the walk, often with the inclusion of the elderly and toddlers. Some riders are travelling at high speeds and at some point there is going to be a nasty accident, or worse, death.
These riders have no consideration for others.
Linda Beck, West Harbour.
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