My Account
Nonsense about 5G
I just started reading your article about the petition against 5G in Mangawhai (MM July 3) and could hardly finish it before my eye began to twitch. Architectural drafter Lis Martinac says 5G “will use new frequencies that are not evaluated by independent experts”. In fact, the NZ 5G rollout will initially concentrate on the 3.5GHz band, which has been in active use in New Zealand since at least 2006. Current licence holders are not due to be required to relinquish their rights until 2022, after the auction is completed in 2020, so she has a while to go yet before we swap over. Lis goes on to assert that “5G will theoretically pump out the same amount of radiation as a microwave …” Surprisingly, for such a noted radio systems expert as Lis Martinac, this is not remotely true. A microwave pumps out around 1500W of power. A cellular base station typically runs at around 20-30W and, according to our own Ministry for the Environment, measurements of live towers indicate a typical exposure of less than one per cent of the recommended maximum. Lis has support from Dr Robin Kelly, a GP, who states that it is clear to her that living tissue can be adversely affected by these frequencies. It is unclear which literature she refers to. Perhaps she means the IARC Group 2B carcinogens list. This list does indeed have radio frequency electromagnetic radiation on it. It also includes ginko extract, kava, aloe vera, talcum powder and being a carpenter, so it is perhaps safe to say that presence on that list does not guarantee fatality. The article says that Lis came across the issue on Facebook. Now we all know that Facebook is the globally leading source of both objective truth and scientific knowledge, but perhaps we could consider the Ministry for the Environment as a better one just this once. To your credit, you do mention this towards the end of the article, but at no stage do you point out that architectural drafter Lis Martinac has no idea what she’s talking about, leaving your credulous readers with the impression that she does.
Simon Green, Pohuehue
Algies acknowledged
Your last edition (MM July 3) had an article showing and talking about the new surveillance camera on Mahurangi East Road, Snells Beach. This installation has been strongly supported by the business community at Snells Beach as noted in the article. However, the story failed to mention the great financial help from Algies Bay Residents and Ratepayers Assn. Great things can be achieved when communities work together. Thank you to all who have generously donated towards this project.
Mark Dinniss, Chairman Snells Beach Ratepayers and Residents Assoc.
Gormless government
Our Government is a coalition of losers. NZ First and the Greens have 17 list members. They, therefore, do not represent the people at all. Labour has 29 elected and 18 list MPs. So, the Government is 29 elected MPs and 35 following their own agendas. In contrast, the Opposition have 39 elected MPs and 13 list MPs. This clearly demonstrates the failure of MMP. This Government has created over 200 advisory committees, costing the taxpayer over $1 million each. Over $200m wasted through incompetence. There are so many failed projects that have only achieved money wasted for no return. Such as Kiwibuild, Shane Jones giving away money without ensuring a return, and the plant a billion trees scheme, which has turned into a fiasco. The cancellation of the 90-day probation period for employer/employee relationship. Our economic annual growth has dropped from four per cent to two per cent in only 18 months. So small businesses, the engine of our internal economy, are loathe to risk taking on new employees. Less jobs for all regions. James Shaw and co. changed the criteria in the OIO Act so foreigners can buy excellent farms to turn into forestry, but not for foreigners who want to improve current farms. The effect will be the demise of many rural towns and huge loss of export income. Achieving nothing. A vibrant economy is best for the Government and the people. Government receives more tax and more is spent on essential services. I can hear the ‘tree huggers’ saying “it’s not just about money”. If so, why are two thirds of the population saying the Government isn’t giving them enough and the other third saying that the Government is taking too much? Just before the last global financial crisis (GFC), the Labour Government put New Zealand into a recession. Another GFC is possibly looming and the situation is being repeated. A change of Government is now essential.
Peter Georgetti, Warkworth
