Letters to the Editor
Editor,
We have just returned from a camping holiday in Whakatane from January 7 to 22.
I was very interested to read your article about sunscreens (Petone Herald February 2) as we had a problem with the cancer society sunscreen that my 12 year old son was using.
It was one of their small roll-on bottles. I know that my son was putting it on every two -three hours on dry skin, liberally (as he kept telling us and we saw him!)
The next day he was burnt over exposed areas. The expiry date was fine. The only thing we could put it down to was that perhaps the Cancer Society roll-on version was thinner so it could be applied by a roll-on. I’m not sure how they justify an SPF rating of 30+.
In any case, we promptly stopped using the Cancer Society brand and bought another brand which worked fine. The second brand was a lot thicker.
Discussion among our friends at camp (when it was apparent my son had been burnt) alerted us about the poor result that the Cancer Society sunscreen had in tests run by Consumer NZ.
We won’t be recommending or using Cancer Society sunscreens again.
Nikki Williams, Korokoro
Editor,
Anything that will discourage young people from taking up smoking or encourage people to give up is a good thing. Price rises are an essential part of the ‘fight against smoking’ and need to happen regularly.
Cigarettes should be hugely expensive - I’d like to see a massive price rise. I know that in the short term this could really disadvantage families where a parent is a smoker and there is subsequently not enough money for groceries, but there will also be some who give up.
Looking long term, this is the way to go, along with other measures to make smoking less attractive.
The Labour Government’s TV ads in the 1990s, for instance, were very successful in beginning to make smoking ‘un-cool’. Since smoking is so incredibly addictive, government intervention is essential. Smokers are not going to give up on their own - it’s just too hard.
Concerned, Name and Address supplied
Editor,
In response to your correspondent Robert Ashe ( February 2) I can provide an assurance that council does not intend to undermine the heritage values of areas like Petone’s Jackson Street. The effect of any decision by council will be carefully considered.
Hutt City Council is committed to preserving and protecting its heritage buildings.
Protection is still a key part of our plan and we are setting out on a round of consultation to broaden understanding of the approach being adopted by the council and receive comments from the community.
This matter attracted a large number of people who spoke on their concerns about individual homes being included in the heritage plan.
We are also working with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust which lists a number of buildings that are protected by the District Plan. As Mayor I pay particular attention to considering the wishes of our community.
Ray Wallace, Mayor of Lower Hutt
We are keen to hear your views. Letters to the Editor are warmly welcomed. They must include your name and can be emailed to editor@pcn.co.nz or online at www.pcn.co.nz/petoneheraldlive