Without A Fight wins Melbourne Cup
Much to the delight of punters, the 163rd edition of the Melbourne Cup was won by the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Without A Fight. It was a massive result for trainer Chris Waller who prepared both place-getters, with Soulcombe running second. It was a back-to-back win for jockey Mark Zahra, who rode Gold Trip to win last year’s Melbourne Cup. After the ‘icing on the cake’, Zahra became the first jockey since Glen Boss on Makybe Diva to win consecutive Melbourne Cups. Without A Fight became the first horse since the Kiwi mare Ethereal (2001) to do the Spring Cups’ double- the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups in the same year, as it came with a charging late run right up the middle bolting past its rivals to hit the line over two lengths clear of Soulcombe who came off a seventh in the Caulfield Cup. Sheraz was third and Ashrun battled hard for fourth. The festivity surrounding the Melbourne Cup was just superb! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Your say, my bet
Na animal, sa na animal ga! My horses need a good hiding. Just wanted to follow tails in the Cup and it was not about winning. I had placed a quinella bet, but my horses must have planned. What I thought was all set, they just followed tails around the track. Na ose, sa na ose ga! Those horses I’ll never again back, waste my money saraga! Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Medicinal cannabis
Further to my last letters on this subject, I want to add results of some research collected by the American Heart Association. Firstly, the frequent use of marijuana causes a very big increase in heart attacks and other heart problems. Secondly, marijuana has proved to be strongly addictive and easily leads to a search for other “highs” from cocaine, meth, et cetera. It also increases the risk of mental health problems, especially schizophrenia, as we know well in Fiji. I believe that Fiji should not support a drug that, in the long term, will do more harm than good. Incidentally, calling it “cannabis” or “hemp” seems to be an attempt to distance the industry from the marijuana being farmed in Fiji. Brother Fergus Garrett Vatuwaqa, Suva
Domestic violence
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga’s message urging village leaders to act in the wake of domestic violence (FT 4/11) should reach every home. Man monopoly is a thing of the past. Now we have equal rights as women are well compared as the nourishing power of nature. They have a role to play. Those men who undermine women’s capabilities should think twice for everlasting relationships in marriage. “I can do things you cannot. You can do things I can’t. Together we can do great things.” – Mother Teresa Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Poverty is real
It must be acknowledged that poverty in Fiji is very much alive and real. Thousands are desperate to put a decent meal on their tables or floor place-mats, each day; every day. Poverty forces many to resort to alternate means to earn a quick buck. That lure is too good to turn away. So $5 today does not pay for a decent meal for one single mouth — let alone families. Our leaders must dig real deep to find real solutions. “Band-aid” quick fixes do not go far enough, in my view. Yesterday, my spouse and I wasted $15 in taxi fares going to Nadi Hospital only to be turned away. Lab technicians did not take blood samples from SOPD patients. Why? Retirees with no fixed income cannot absorb such shocks. Who pays for the next run to hospital? We are not as fortunate. We struggle to make ends meet too. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Local government elections
The local government elections have been proposed for the next year. We are told that a lot of work has to be done encompassing awareness, ideal electoral process, legislature, registrations, boundaries, eligibility of voters and what not. Jon Apted has given the example of Ratu Sukuna Park which hasn’t attracted any public outcry. In Lautoka, there has been at least some noise about the incomplete swimming pool and Shirley Park area. What difference has the noise made so far? I think the major challenge would be getting the public interested in elections. We all know about turnout numbers when it comes to general elections. That reminds me of something. At the entrance of the Namaka market, there is a huge billboard which carries a notice for ratepayers stating the qualification for a interest waiver on rates during the mentioned amnesty period if all arrears (principal amount) gets cleared. As per the notice, the period ends on July 31, 2023. There is indeed a lot of work to be done. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Understanding economics
Mr Savenaca Narube has been at the “apex” of administering economics at national level and he has the audacity to express his frustration publicly. This is not the first time and anyone of such calibre needs to be seriously reckoned with. I am of the view that he is indirectly demonstrating that there is quite a difference between practising
and non-practising individuals. SAMU SILATOLU Nakasi
Local councils
During a speech at the Dialogue Fiji panel discussion on the electoral system design for the local government elections there were two very pertinent statements made by Jon Apted. These were, “that people don’t remember what a council is supposed to do” and that “even the people that work in the council don’t know what an elected council is supposed to do”. The above suggests there’s something seriously wrong and while the emphasis at present appears to be on determining a council election system for next year when will the public know the answers to ‘what a council is supposed to do? Driving through and living in Lami, I see derelict dumped cars on pavements that have been there for ages, restricting the safe walking area for school children and adults. I see missing manhole covers and tripping hazards that are a danger to schoolchildren and adults. I see inhabited shacks that have been erected on road reserve that are an absolute eyesore. I see shops that dump their commercial garbage almost daily on a bit of land and burn it at night. I see a police station that considers the adjacent public verge a dumping spot for their rubbish daily rather than take pride in the surroundings and keep it within their own compound until collection day, as per by-laws. The type of information the voters for council leadership will need to know prior to any election is if such concerns as listed above have been, or will be, the responsibility of the local council leadership to deal with and have stopped. This will give the voter the knowledge to ensure they do not vote for any representative who has, or is unlikely to, ignore such basic safety and environmental issues. Grahame Stageman Lami
COP meeting
Here we go around the mulberry bush! The COP talk-fest is once again upon us. What have we gained since the Paris Agreement? Who have met their signed obligations? What we now know and it’s been like that all along, is that national security and self-preservation, are the overriding factors that’s strong, for those contributing industrial nations. Those that are crying and the most affected, are the ones that don’t really contribute, to the global temperature rise problem. Coal and fossil fuel will continue to be used, despite all the cries and complaints around the world. What will the upcoming COP meeting achieve? We can only hazard a guess at the outcome. Let’s just wait and see what will really be done. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Many ‘experts’
It is only through The Fiji Times letters to the editor that I have come to know there are so many experts on the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. Some even consider themselves more knowledgeable than the UN and the ICC and Human Rights Watch. Wow! Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
USP grant
I’m just wondering what brilliant excuse Dr Mahendra Reddy will come up with when a USP student has the audacity to question why on Earth he never spoke up against the previous government’s wise decision to withhold USP’s grant? I mean, it’s not like he’d ever admit that he might have been just a tad concerned about losing that cushy ministerial seat of his, right? SANJEET PRASAD Mani Rd, Bulileka, Labasa
Ebay scam
So what is the latest regarding the Ebay scam investigations? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
That fight
There is a lot of controversy on the Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou fight, over who won. Tyson Fury looked unfit and could not hurt Ngannou whenever he managed to hit him. Ngannou dropped Fury in the third round but he wasn’t hurt. Ngannou was trained by Mike Tyson but he hardly threw any combination punches. I think this fight was staged. Sukha Singh Labasa
Soccer game
The Fiji men’s team will be playing Northern Marianas this month. I would suggest to the soccer loving public to do a background check on their next opponent. Read what is available on Wikipedia. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
USP issue
Dr Mahendra Reddy has been reappointed to a position at USP. Will he now be standing for academic freedom? I believe he wasn’t when he was a minister in the FijiFirst government. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Juvenile rape
Wake up Fiji, do not look away or ignore this issue because it can happen right at your doorstep. Five juveniles were part of the 22 people charged with a total of 56 counts of separate sexual-related offences in October, 2023. As a parent I’m concerned because I have a teenage son and a teenage daughter. At least as parents we should openly discuss this emerging social issue at home, rather than attending social or religious activities. Please talk to your children if you genuinely love them. Jioji Masivesi Carreras-Votualevu, Nadi
