Letters to the Editor – March 20, 2019

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Police officers guard the area close to the Masjid al Noor mosque after a shooting incident in Christchurch on March 15, 2019. – Attacks on two Christchurch mosques left at least 40 dead on March 15, with one gunman identified as an Australian extremist — apparently livestreaming the assault that triggered the lockdown of the New Zealand city. (Photo by Tessa BURROWS / AFP) (Photo credit should read TESSA BURROWS/AFP/Getty Images)

Hate has no place

I salute The Fiji Times for a brilliant reminder on yesterday’s front page — “Hate has no place”. The editorial was apt as well. Only if people could understand this message, surely our world would be a better place to live in. The massacre in Christchurch was least expected and has shocked the world. As millions of people joined hands to pay respects to those who were killed, we need to pray for peace! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu

Low-cost housing

Once again I read that Government is signing a deal for affordable housing. How affordable for people who have not had a pay rise in so many years? How affordable for people who work on a minimum wage? The price of building material has skyrocketed in the past many years. I believe the affordable housing that Housing Authority set up was like a yoke around the necks of the very people who were supposed to be able to afford it. I hope I live long enough to see this affordable housing scheme. I believe scheme used as a verb is something different. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi Lautoka

Roadside trees

It used to be a pleasure driving along those parts of our highways that had elegant, tall pine trees towering on both sides of the road. It was always so cool, refreshing and the trees provided shade from the blistering heat. This all came to an abrupt end when it came time for harvest. The trees were removed, the shade was gone, heat set in, and we have ended up with a desolate, bleak, almost desert-like emptiness, ravaged of all its growth. It’s certainly not a welcoming sight and it sure has killed the quality and character of our highways. Why can’t we leave pine trees in areas where they are grown to at least three-four rows deep on both sides of the road to grow forever? What a majestic sight that would be and what a joyful experience to be able to drive through fully grown pine trees towering over our highways for miles. It will at least provide the distraction to keep our thoughts off the potholes and enjoy the journey! Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu

No guns in Fiji

If the shooter doesn’t have a gun how could he fulfil his mission. Let’s not take sides over the tragedy that happened on our neighbouring country New Zealand. Even though we felt for the immediate victims and their families. Let’s bring it close to home. We should walk around our streets without fear and not be victimised. We should go to our place of worship without fear. Fiji is a free country. Some people carry a gun in Fiji for whatever reason. For some to shoot birds. The use of guns in Fiji should be banned. Whatever size, shape and cost. #no gun. #no problem. Jone Ravuci Nadi

Safety and flying

The tragic crash of an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft brings back fears about the reality of travelling via air. Just as much as safety standards and safeguards are put in place, there is every possibility accidents can happen and even worse, lives of many lost. Meanwhile, having recently travelled through Labasa via air, I was quite alarmed on the return trip. Unlike in Nausori, where all passengers went through a thorough screening process, this was not practised at Labasa Airport. Just as much as I remained positive during the return flight and said a short prayer, I believe the absence of such checks is a huge security risk that cannot be allowed. If this continues, it is possible that a passenger can include dangerous chemicals and potentially harmful objects as part of their carry-on luggage. It takes one crazy person and one slip in security checks to bring about tragedy. One hopes that security checks on passengers departing Labasa Airport are put in place as soon as possible. After all, prevention is better than cure. Floyd Robinson Toorak, Suva

International Day of Happiness

The day recognises that happiness is a fundamental human goal, and calls upon countries to approach public policies in ways that improve the wellbeing of all people. Celebrated on March 20, International Day of Happiness is a day that recognises the importance of happiness to human beings and is also a day in which people are encouraged to do those things that make them happy. This can be done by saying a kind word to someone, giving them a gift or even just a smile. You can also celebrate the day by doing charitable acts for those in need. These are all things that can make another person happy. By designating a special day for happiness, the UN aims to focus world attention on the idea that economic growth must be inclusive, equitable, and balanced, such that it promotes sustainable development, and alleviates poverty. Additionally the UN acknowledges that in order to attain global happiness, economic development must be accompanied by social and environmental wellbeing. I leave you with a quote by Jim Rohn “Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present”. Neelz Singh Lami

Show of respect

A show of respect doesn’t cost anything but tells us what is in the heart of a person doing so. The Fiji and New Caledonia teams showing their respect to the New Zealand shooting victims makes me fell proud that we still have humble people. For sportspeople it is sometime said that they are simple people doing extraordinary things. Thank you Roy Krishna you stood tall. And to the families of the victims may God be with you in this time of sorrow. All I can say is — respect. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka

Yaqona farmers

I believe our honourable Prime Minister has informed yaqona farmers in Taveuni that they will not be taxed. I think they have to keep proper records of their farming proceedings and if they fall within the tax bracket, they should pay taxes like any other law-abiding citizen. He further revealed that he had been trying to increase the price for many years and he was glad that the price went up after Tropical Cyclone Winston. If kava farmers and their families are getting more because they deserve it, shouldn’t it be the same for other farmers? Don’t the customers and their families deserve to save a bit more through lower prices? Despite kava not being a basic need, I think this is unfair. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka

Not all that bad

I believe the Great Council Of Chiefs (GCC) cannot be all that bad. They have produced several great iTaukei doctors like Dr Etika, Naqasima, Seruvatu, Bakani, and Sila to name a few by “forcing the students” of QVS, RKS and Lelean to study medicine (FT 19/3). Korina Waibuta Knollys St, Suva

Bus drivers

I believe it is the first bus drivers’ strike. Is it due to the E-ticketing system? Sukha Singh Labasa

Liquidity level

There are so many articles and authors giving assurance that all is well. I believe it worries the common man. Dan Urai Lautoka

Painful reality

When I was small, my father told me not to go near some animals. They can be our real and biggest enemies. Now I realise that it’s not animals, it’s man that is man’s biggest enemy. A. SHARIFF SHAH Savusavu

Expat positions

I believe employing expatriates into positions that should be taken up by locals negatively reflects the education system. Dan Urai Lautoka

Different buses

Being in the West recently and seeing the buses travelling between Nadi and Lautoka, I believe they are in better condition than those you see travelling between Suva and Nausori. For buses in the West it’s a luxury and comfortable travelling. Not only that, the buses are clean and no loud music, and drivers seem friendly. The bus proprietors in the Suva and Nausori area should check out the buses in the West and maybe get something done about their buses. Tomasi Boginiso Nasinu

EIA procedure

I find this Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure flawed and inconsistent. If we were to follow EIAs to a stringent and meticulous manner in order to achieve its true purpose, then we need to be assessing everything and anything we do that interrupts nature. Every home, every business, every person, and every task we do needs to be assessed. We, collectively, as a people and a nation are the number one destroyers of our environment. We are the greatest hypocrites and our own worst enemies! Let’s conduct EIAs on ourselves first. Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu

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