Letters To The Editor (Press, 17 February 1977)

On 17 February 1977, a series of letters to the editor were published addressing various issues concerning taxation, sports, women's participation in politics, prescription charges, language, healthcare, and milk pricing in New Zealand. One correspondent, R. V. Shaw, expressed dissatisfaction with the tax relief system that favoured landlords while excluding owner-occupiers from claiming deductions on property maintenance expenses. Shaw argued that both categories should receive equal treatment concerning tax relief, especially considering that pensioners often struggle to maintain their properties. In a letter regarding Woodford Glen, G. R. Pawsey voiced disappointment over the inclusion of motorcycle racing at the venue, asserting that it detracted from the car racing experience. Mr R. S. Rutherford, a director of Auto Promotions, responded by highlighting the growing popularity of motorcycle racing and its integration into the event programming. The issue of women's representation in politics was debated, with S. M. Wells questioning Marilyn Waring's assertions about the male-dominated political hierarchy. Wells suggested that while women struggle to present themselves as strong candidates, capable men are plentiful. Rodney Lingard from the Labour Party Young Socialists rebutted this perspective by criticising Waring’s arguments as superficial and insisting that genuine emancipation for women requires a more profound challenge to societal structures rather than simply increasing female representation. On health-related matters, Harvey Foss reacted to a letter concerning prescription charges. He reasoned that a reconsideration of traditional home remedies could reduce the costs associated with prescriptions and health care. Meanwhile, Marlene Smith shared her positive experiences with her family doctor, emphasising the accessibility and compassion provided during a challenging time with her son’s illness. Additionally, Lorna Anker sought clarification on the crossword clue that involved the word "dout," which she found to be obscure. The editor clarified that "dout" means to extinguish and is a legitimate term in the English language. Lastly, R. S. Clyne highlighted a discrepancy in reported milk prices, stating that the Waiau district had recently increased its price of milk to 13 cents, contrary to a claim that Kaikoura had the highest price at 11 cents. The local Milk Board manager confirmed the increase and attributed it to government cost adjustments and transport expenses. These letters reflect a range of community concerns in 1977 New Zealand, from financial and health issues to cultural and societal observations, showcasing the active engagement of citizens in public discourse.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand