MICROFINANCING
A couple of weeks ago I attended the screening of ‘‘On the Backs of Women’’ a NZ made film about microfinance in Myanmar. It was pleasing to read in the recent Leader that significant funds were raised through this screening to assist women in that country.
I wanted to take the opportunity to draw the attention of readers to the Nelson Womens Loan Fund - also a microfinancing scheme right here on our doorstep.
The fund makes loans to women in the Nelson region to further their education or to assist with business establishment. Loans are interest free, but are repaid in full by the borrower over an agreed term.
Further information is available on the website: nelsonwomensloanfund.co.nz.
This October the national annual gathering of Womens
Loan funds is being held in our region. I am writing to object most fervently to the photograph on the front page of the Tasman edition of the leader dated Thursday August 18, showing young children involved in the Merman Ltd Junior Possum Throw and further material on page 17 about the Riwaka Hunting and Fishing Competition.
Do you really think the majority of your readers think it is a good idea to encourage children to show no respect for animals dead or alive?
I can hear the response you are already formulating in your head, that possums are a pest, that I don’t need to choose to read the article, it is of local interest etc etc etc.
These animals cause harm and the possum is a pest. That is true, however the possum does not have a personal agenda to do damage or do harm.
These animals are being humanely culled in many parts of the country.
Hurling around dead bodies for cheap entertainment is repugnant to me and I am sure it is to many of your readers.
It is ignorant and disrespectful behaviour.
As for the whole idea of rejoicing in killing a pig and running with it on your back, why not have a go at this kind of thing when your dog dies?
Killing for pleasure, taking pleasure in playing games with dead bodies and hiding behind a need to cull for conservation reasons is an excuse for blood lust.
The organisers of events like this are teaching young children that the only lives that matter are human lives. They are training children to be the red-neck hillbillies that they are themselves.
Compassion does not seem to rank highly in hunting circles. Hunting for food and survival is very different to what we are seeing here.
Since I do not subscribe to this paper which arrives in my mailbox in spite of the ‘‘no junk mail’’ sticker, I feel I am completely within my rights to object to seeing this in the same way that another reluctant reader might object to you portraying nudity or pornography on your front page.
Do you really think this obscenity is appealing to the majority of your 36,000 readers? Please move into the 21st century or stop delivering your publication to my front door.