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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Well, Mr E?

(I'm awaiting your comment)



"A group of Southland farmers are taking action over what they say is the "draconian" way the Southland and Otago regional councils handle effluent discharge into waterways.

The farmers met Deputy Prime Minister and Clutha-Southland MP Bill English in Gore about two weeks ago to discuss the way both regional councils manage water contamination caused by farm runoff.

The meeting was before a series of articles in the Southland Times that have brought the operations of Environment Southland into question.

A letter was sent to Mr English before the meeting outlining the farmers' concerns and asking for help.

There had been an alarming increase in effluent-related prosecutions over the last year relating to incidents which were mostly unintentional, extremely minor and fixed immediately by farmers, the letter said.

Farmers, who in most cases asked the councils for help, got no support and were instead prosecuted."


15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Robert,
How can I help? Do you have a question?
Mr E

robertguyton said...

Yes, I do have a question, Mr E: What's your reaction to the article above?

Anonymous said...

Reaction? Surely you are not expecting me to gloat? On a seperate matter I should have bet on the Melbourne cup. All three of my horses came in. I am off to buy a lotto ticket today. With power ball. And strike. And keno. And big Wednesday :)

robertguyton said...

Mr E. Why are you avoiding a response to my question? You are usually very willing to talk freely about any issue I post, especially one that involves farmers. What's different here?

Anonymous said...

Robert,
It is not in my nature to gloat. How could I possibly react to this article without doing so?
I thought the article was pretty self explanatory, so I am not sure I could add anything?
Unless you have a specific question?
Mr E

robertguyton said...

You are gloating, Mr E?
This is not what I was expecting at all. I over-estimated you, it seems. No matter, I'm not upset by that at all, as you might expect. What I wondered at was your views on the content of the article, in particular the claims made by Mr McPherson. I'm very interested to see you 'dancing on the head of a pin' like this. In the past, you've been so forthright. That behaviour has evaporated in this case. Curious! Disappointing.

Anonymous said...

Which views were Mr McPersons?
As always I am being forthright. A reaction by me to this article could be accused as "trite" so I am trying to consider where I could offer new information. I think we both know I have surmised these events and commented with some shared concerns in the past.
I am happy to give my honest views. As you have asked repeatedly for my reaction, I will say this article made me smile and frown.
If you want more specific comments you will have to ask more specific questions. Othwise I will simply feel like I am rubbing salt in a wound.
Mr E

robertguyton said...

Don't feel that, Mr E. I'm not wounded at all.
Do you consider the way ES handles effluent discharges into waterways, "draconian"?

Anonymous said...

It that is a very general statement Robert. I don't care for generalisations. To be more specific. I have heard reports from farmers that feel as though they are being treated in a draconian manner. I would need more information to determine if I agree with such claims. It is fair to say I have noticed an increase in such views to the point that it is getting hard to ignore.
Mr E

robertguyton said...

So you don't agree with Mr McPherson on that then.
How about on this: The Southland Times report that Mr McPherson claims that "farmers, who in most cases asked the councils for help, got no support and were instead prosecuted."

Do you agree with Mr McPherson here?

Anonymous said...

I see no reference to Mr McPherson and no quote that indicates he made a statement that relates to your question. I see a statement by the Southland times and I am too long in the tooth to accept that as verbatim.

I am not sure how your interpreted my comment the way you did? It appears to me to be a cheeky twist of my views and I regard such things as D grade politics. Rather than do that, why don't you put your own views down? Or are you worried that 'big brother/sister is watching'?

robertguyton said...

Am I worried that 'big sister' is watching?
Ha!
You've not been following very closely at all, Mr E!
You are correct about Mr McPherson. I'm conflating an email that was sent from him. My apologies to he and thee. "Draconian" is a word that was used freely by Doug Fraser and other Federated Farmers at and around the 'confrontational' meeting at ES. That Mr McPherson doesn't use it is a credit to him. I must pay attention to details more.
Who do you suppose sent the letter to Mr English?

Anonymous said...

Farmers it would appear. The times appears to have gone to length to protect their identity.
So how about your opinion on the same questions?
Mr E

robertguyton said...

List them, so I know which ones in particular, and I'll answer as best I can.

Anonymous said...

Recent articles:
Council worker changed document
ES admits untruths in court
Audit probes council actions
Targeting of stock trucks slammed
Councils too tough over effluent say farmers

Can I ask the question, does any of this worry you? Or is todays article 'water off a ducks back'?.Of course I ask because I care.