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There was a little town isolated by a large hill (imaginary of course) with a wonderful diverse group of townspeople who were very law-abiding and honest. They respected their neighbours and helped and cared for each other even though they often held differing views. These people, who all paid their council rates and taxes became disillusioned and unhappy because their council representatives never listened to what the townspeople wanted. The council even started having secret meetings and some townspeople were banned from meetings because they asked too many questions. One day the townspeople got so fed up with the council they decided to hold their own meeting and nearly everyone in the town came. (They of course brought a potluck lunch.) Everyone had a chance to talk and everyone listened. The list of things the council were doing without approval from the people was huge. The list of things the townspeople wanted were rather modest and very sensible. There and then they decided to elect their own council; they opened a bank account and began putting their rates into it. Because the town was full of very clever thinkers and organisers they got rid of the old council and pretty soon they were using all the rates gathered for their little town and nowhere else. The town prospered, businesses thrived, parks and pathways were safe free from poison, roads didn’t have potholes and water schemes were run by locals. Farmers who already knew how to run their farms were left alone. The new council threw out the plans for 20-minute neighbourhoods and digital ID and took control of the water back. Whenever a decision needed to be made a town party was organised and the people became more and more connected to each other. The town became resilient and strong against outside influences because the people had taken their power back.

Wendy Webster

* Fare available for a limited time. Travel must be completed by 30 September 2023. Or in the case of return travel the first leg is completed prior to 30 September 2023. For all other destinations the fare is unchanged.

These reduced fares are not available online. Bookings must be made using one of these options:

• Phone our Golden Bay Coachlines Office on 03 525 8352 or attend in person between 8.30am-12pm and 12.45pm-3.45pm.

• Email via website www.goldenbaycoachlines.co.nz. May be as simple as requesting a return call.

• Email our office direct: info@gbcoachlines.co.nz.

• Or turn up at departure times and pay the driver. (Subject to seat availability)

Advert patronises retirees

I’m settling down with a whiskey to watch The Chase at the delayed time of 6pm and I cannot help but see the advertisements from its "proud sponsors," Metlifecare, one of the many outfits offering retirement living. The format is to ask questions of would-be residents as to what would be required of them should they choose to take up residency. The questions, however, are inane, puerile and, in fact, downright insulting. The message one gets is that these people believe older folk are imbecilic or have at least all reverted to a childhood level of understanding. Is this how one would be treated as a resident? They cannot be doing themselves any favours with advertisements like this as I, for one, would not entertain the place on principle.

It's comforting to know that it has nothing to do with Valdimir Putin being a megalomaniacal dictator.

Mark Doyle

Freedom of speech and hate speech law

In the wake of apparently withdrawing the hate speech law proposal the Government is now proposing reforms to tighten online censorship through a government regulator, the aim being to control what's said online, on social media, podcasts, blogs, gaming, etc. Its job will be, amongst other things, to identify "harmful" ideas that make people feel "unsafe". Finding consistency in such subjective judgement calls, punishable under law no doubt, will not be easy. Doesn't New Zealand already have strong laws against extreme material? Of course we need protection from extremists and their radicalisations when these threaten our society. And mostly those controls have worked. But at what point do ideas become harmful to society because they make someone feel unsafe, an area of government concern. In a democracy balance must be struck between freedom and control. Unsurprisingly, Rowan Atkinson is on record placing freedom of speech second only to food as a basic human need. He argues that speech should be countered by more speech. In short, more contesting of ideas and less control by unelected government appointees. Parliament itself is based upon this principle. Our fore-fathers fought and died for us to remain a free society. Freedom of speech is at our core. Ask a North Korean asylum seeker for his thoughts on it.

Warwick Stubbs

Russia's "real truth" is propaganda

Uwe Steidinger’s “real truth” about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (GBW letters 16/6) is propaganda from Moscow. Putin’s 31-FZ and 32-FZ media laws of March 2022 criminalised the publication of the real truth about the bloody war in Ukraine, resulting from the Russian invasion. Only the propaganda from the Kremlin is allowed to be published. The war is not Ukraine’s fault, Uwe. As an independent sovereign country, Ukraine is under no obligation to meet Putin’s “basic demands”. The Minsk protocols, agreed between Kyiv and Moscow in 2014 and 2015 established a buffer zone between the Russian and Ukraine armies in the southeast. Russia provokes Ukraine to break the agreement, by firing small arms across the buffer zone to justify blaming Ukraine for the war. Also, the Minsk protocols are not even applicable to the genocide carried out by Russia in Bucha, and attacks on neighbouring Kyiv as they are cities far to the north of the buffer zone. Even the vast majority of Russian-speaking Ukrainians in the south east, with close ties to Russia, do not want to be part of dictator Putin’s totalitarian state.

to make a booking

A reminder that you must be living in Golden Bay or Motueka or environs to access these reductions. If you are not an existing customer, we may ask for proof of address.

Information or to make a booking 8352 8.30am to 4.00am Mon - Fri info@gbcoachlines.co.nz

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Watch TV five minutes before The Chase and see what I mean.

Larry Petterson

NATO membership does not justify invasion

In response to the submission by Uwe Steidinger last week (GBW letters 16/6).

If I understand you correctly you are saying that Ukraine, as a free country, is not entitled to join any alliance that they please because the possibility exists that the alliance they want to join – NATO – will base nuclear weapons there, and that will be a threat to Russia.

Based on that premise according to you, Russia was entitled to invade Ukraine and to unleash mercenary individuals who can only be described as the lowest of the low, murderous, disgusting creatures to exist on this planet.

When it comes to the people who are benefiting the most, have you forgotten Putin's butcher, who continues to use the lives of others to enrich himself – with Putin's blessing.

Is China entitled to invade Taiwan if that state applies to join NATO?

You might also want to clarify whether or not Russia is also now entitled to invade Finland who recently applied to and joined NATO, as you seem to be of the opinion that they are.

Finally, and very specifically, do not forget the role played by the Russian 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade in shooting down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014.

Mr Steidinger would do well to actually read the Minsk agreements (plural), as he will find that his claims are incorrect. One of the main points thereof being that Russia must withdraw illegal armed groups and military equipment as well as fighters and mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine. They did not.

Gary Thorpe

Putin's megalomania drives Ukraine invasion

Thank you for your opinion Mr(s) Steidinger (GBW letters 16/6).

One wonders if you'd care to name the "few unscrupulous business people" who are ensuring the invasion and bombing of Ukraine continues?

Now that Finland has joined NATO I assume you're fine with

Could Mexico be USA's Ukraine?

Celia Butler

Regarding Uwe Steidinger's letter last week (Justifying the Russian invasion in Ukraine, GBW 16/6) which asked how the US would react if China was to negotiate a military pact with Mexico. Uwe left off some key details in this hypothetical scenario. For example: in 2014 the US annexed Baja California, claiming it was "always part of the US." Next, American separatists in the Mexican states of Sonora and Sinaloa seized power in those states and, in a 2015 referendum, claimed they were now independent republics. On 21 February 2022 the American president recognised the independent republics (in violation of the previous peace agreement). Finally, on 24 February 2022 the US invaded Mexico and for a year and a half continued to destroy military and civilian targets across Mexico including its capital city. So, yes, the US would be upset if Mexico entered into a military pact with China. But given the behaviour of the US in this scenario, could you blame Mexico?

Frank Susko

For the Blue – essential viewing

Clive Barker’s excellent whakaaro ( GBW 16/6) and Rod Barker’s succinct reflection on our consumer society, its pitfalls and their sources in the same issue were read with appreciation.

These spur a recommendation to experience another catalyst for considering the consequences of our choices. At a recent hui a number of Mohua residents had the opportunity to view a documentary For the Blue . This was made a year or so ago by a group of young people from Aotearoa New Zealand. Its release was thwarted by the advent of the pandemic, but it is still absolutely relevant and adds urgency to all the issues raised.

If you are interested in the state of the world’s oceans and the ways in which we in Aotearoa New Zealand contribute to it, especially in terms of our purchase and discarding of single use plastic, please consider renting or purchasing the film from the Vimeo site. It’s a bit of a faff to achieve, but worth it. Don’t try putting the title into YouTube because it’s not on that platform and you get all sorts of unsavoury options to boot!

Hess Williams

Russia's bully tactics over Ukraine

I am a bit confused with a letter in last week's GB Weekly (16/6) that seemed to imply that the invasion, occupation and destruction of parts of Ukraine, and the killings of hundreds of thousands of civilians is that country's own fault. According to this correspondent, the Ukrainian Government only had to sign a few, by the Russians dictated, agreements and all would have been hunky dory. How frightening is that idea for possible future conflicts with the neighbouring countries and how scary are the expressions of this correspondent, if you will not accept Russian demands, you will be punished.

Jan Groen

Western alliance failed to stop Putin

I wish to respond to Uwe Steidinger's letter (GBW 16/6). He has every right to make comment on the Russian attack on Ukraine but I feel he should read more on the history of Russia and the West relations after WW2.

Where was he when the USA, under Kennedy, challenged Khrushchev over planting nuclear weapons in Cuba.

The courage of Kennedy to hold Russia's advance on Cuba with a fleet of transport ships carrying long range missiles was brought to a halt with a blockade of Cuba by the US Atlantic Navel Fleet, on 16 October 1962. Khrushchev blinked first, and the fleet of missiles turned around and sent back to Russia. The missiles already in Cuba were dismantled.

I was in the RAF based in Gibraltar serving on Maritime Shackleton's ready to go to war. Yes, it was a close call but it had to be done.

The NATO forces should have challenged the first move of Putin when he lined up hundreds of tanks on the Ukraine boarder prior to the invasion. That would have stopped the following confrontation we are now witnessing.

If only the action of a strong NATO community, and the courage to challenge Putin, this disastrous invasion of a "free independent state"would never have proceeded.

Our strong Western Alliance failed us in this instance.

Dear Mr Steidinger, please read the records of how and why the west failed this time.

Reg Turner

The need to examine our attitudes

I felt saddened when watching TVNZ 1 news recently which was covering an interview with the few remaining survivors of the WW2 Māori Battalion, some of whom had felt undervalued by New Zealand on their return from Europe. I had always thought that they had been, and still are, highly regarded for their selfless contribution to a foreign war.

I felt the same sense of shame when recording my stepfather, Clem Randall's, memories of his war experience in the aftermath of the Singaporean debacle. He similarly felt ignored and disrespected on return to NZ, but for a different but equally regrettable reason – allied defeat. Our continued history of racism, discrimination, and winning-above-all attitudes are all issues that need ongoing critical examination.

Tarakohe launch fees

Robin Keown

Anyone else feeling like they are being held to ransom over the high cost of the slipway fees? The proposed new rate is now $200, over a 30 per cent increase. Nelson's charge is $105 yearly membership or a cheaper six- or three-monthly year ticket. Our facility is barely fit for purpose so how can these inflated costs be justified?

Richard Armitage

Letters To The Editor

The GB Weekly welcomes letters to the editor. Please email your letter to us at admin@gbweekly.co.nz by 12pm Tuesday. Include the writer’s full name, home address and daytime phone number. Letters will be printed over the name of the writer; names are withheld only when compelling reasons can be established. Letters must not exceed 250 words. Letters that are too long will not be considered. All correspondence is at the discretion of the manager, who reserves the right to decline, edit, or abridge letters without explanation or further discussion. Links to third party websites will not be published. The views expressed are those of the correspondents and are not necessarily endorsed or shared by The GB Weekly.