Cat food prices
I wish to raise my concern on the sharp increase in the price of cat food.
What is particularly worrying is the large difference between smaller and bulk purchases.
A 1kg pack that I previously purchased for $17.50 has now increased to $24.95 — an increase of more than 40 per cent. At the same time, a 10kg pack has risen only from $120 to $127.
This raises a serious question: why are consumers purchasing smaller quantities being charged so much more per kilogram?
Many pet owners, especially those unable to afford bulk purchases, have little choice but to buy smaller packs. They should not be unfairly disadvantaged simply because they cannot afford to purchase a 10kg bag at once.
While price increases may be influenced by freight costs, import costs and other business expenses, consumers deserve transparency and fair pricing.
I hope the relevant authorities, including the Consumer Council and price-monitoring bodies, will take heed of this issue and examine whether pet food is being sold at fair and reasonable prices.
Pets are not a luxury to many families, they are part of the household and depend entirely on their owners for food and care. Consumers should not be placed under unnecessary financial pressure because of excessive or unexplained price increases.
Shamal Chand Kuku Village, Nausori
Secret ballroom?
I am confused with the Truth Social post from President Trump, “This event would never have happened with the Militarily Top Secret Ballroom currently under construction at the White House. It cannot be built fast enough!” in reference to the incident at the White House Correspondents’ dinner.
Building rules and regulations seem to be written by people who hate building and love paperwork. Even they don’t make mention of “Militarily Top Secret Ballrooms” so what is it? There have been a series of plans displayed, all seemingly only printed with yellow ink. There are massive windows and a rooftop laden with drones and weaponry but no columns in the middle to support it.
Surely it’s time to stop this farce, top the military bunker with a few feet of steel and concrete, find the plans for the East Wing and rebuild it to restore dignity to the White House. This is a familiar issue for world leaders who often overstep their power, misuse the military they lead or just build monuments to themselves that will later be torn down. Have any of your country’s leaders put themselves before the people they should be serving?
Dennis Fitzgerald Australia
Taxpayers’ money
The High Court’s ruling that the Commission of Inquiry into Barbara Malimali’s appointment was unlawful and void is not just a legal embarrassment — I believe it is a financial scandal.
More than $4million of taxpayers’ money has been wasted, and that figure does not capture the full burden: ongoing litigation, related costs, and the gridlock that clogs our courts and denies ordinary citizens their day in court.
This waste must not be repeated. In future, personal liability should attach to those who fail in their duties — commissioners, counsel assisting, and even the highest office holders — rather than the public purse.
Accountability must mean more than words; it must mean consequences.
The abuse of process seen here is not a victimless error. Every hour spent on correcting unlawful inquiries is an hour stolen from other citizens awaiting justice.
Every dollar spent on litigation is a dollar denied to schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.
If commissions are to retain public confidence, they must act lawfully, fairly, and within their mandate. And if they fail, those responsible must pay — not the taxpayers.
Dr Sushil K Sharma Lautoka
Grand coverage
While Suva Grammar School stole the show by completing a treble in the U16, 17 and 18 grades and U18 hooker Viliame Daurua producing a powerful and spectacular performance, I must compliment The Fiji Times sports team for covering school sports in a fantastic manner.
The secondary school’s rugby, netball, hockey and football that were played in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa, respectively, were covered so well with stories and beautiful pictures.
So much literature was shared, and when one looks back at it, he/she will reminisce about the golden and glorious moments.
In the Deans, Suva Grammar stood out, ending a 21-year-old drought, while Lautoka Central, Ba Sangam and Tavua College came back with the trophies from Subrail Park.
Netball, unfortunately, had to be called off because of the atrocious weather.
In hockey, Tilak High and the schools from the Old Capital made headlines. Now we look forward to the basketball and volleyball competitions. Another immense task lies ahead of The Fiji Times sports team!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Grog dopeys
According to the Methodist Church, grog dopeys who come to church are a big problem.
Let me suggest that grog dopeys who do not go to church are a bigger problem.
So, Fiji has a big grog dopey problem regardless.
Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Missing file
What Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh has revealed to The Fiji Times about FICAC saying a file on a corruption compliant against a senior Fiji Sugar Corporation official lodged some three years ago going missing (FT 24/8) needs close scrutiny in the public interest.
The allegation of money changing hands and landing in the senior official’s overseas bank account via Hong Kong is something that cannot and should not be swept under the carpet.
Hope The Fiji Times keeps the spotlight on the matter in its role as a public watchdog on official corruption.
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Lesson in resilience
Keola Pati’s story delivered valuable lessons, heading into another week.
At 86, Pati is an inspiration to the elderly and young.
The elderly, because she teaches them that work has no age limit.
The young, because she teaches them about living a long, healthy life.
More than six decades, Pati is still working. Her life is centered on the value of perseverance which she inherited from a generation of hard-working people.
Thank you Timoci Dawai for that beautiful picture of Pati that reflects a mother who is epitome of elderly women in Fiji who continue to take the hard yards to support their families and loved ones.
Pati’s past shaped her future.
As I read her journey that was shared by Karashmeeta Pal titled “How tales of the past shape a future” (FT: 24/08), I reflected on the hardship that Pati went through to survive.
Pati shared her journey with an open heart and mind, and I loved reading the piece.
Her strong family values developed her into a successful person.
For Pati, perseverance is not merely an admirable quality, but an inheritance which changed her life. Despite struggles, Pati endured.
I wish her the best in her endeavour!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
All Blacks break SA hearts
The All Blacks delivered a spectacular, phenomenal and second half fight-back to blow away the hosts at Ellis Park.
They stunned South Africa 33-16 to draw first blood in their historic four-Test series.
The All Blacks survived the hosts ferocity and onslaught to trail by a single point (13-12), heading to the break. Their scrum was eyesore in the first half, but when Asafo Aumua, George Bower and Fletcher Newell came on, they impressed and were tagged as the “bomb squad”.
The All Blacks outscored the hosts five tries to one to record their biggest win in South Africa’s cathedral of rugby.
Their set piece was massive and the young guns — Fabian Holland, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love and Josh Moorby stood up to the challenge.
Rassie Erasmus’ men paid for failing to take opportunities when they had the All Blacks on the ropes in the first half. Thus, to a crashing halt came South Africa’s 12-Test winning streak that began 11 months ago by handing the All Blacks their heaviest ever defeat, 43-10, at Wellington Regional Stadium.
As an All Blacks fan, I am super proud of the way the men in black hammered the hosts. Best wishes for the second Test!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Teenage girls’ behaviour
There are a number of films dealing with groups of nasty teenage girls who exclude others or push some out of their group.
This is also sadly true in the real world, bullying is common and wrong.
This type of bullying has been taken to the limit by Donald Trump who has warned Oman that if they interfere with discussions about the Strait of Hormuz then he will “bomb the (expletive) out of Oman”.
Oman has been helping with the negotiations and are an ally of the US but now they face attack from the US and a fairly serious bombing.
Given that they are “friends”, imagine how he treats enemies, real or imagined, but unfortunately we already know what happens.
Stopping teenagers from bullying others is difficult as they are often immature and lack self control but an 80-year-old man shouldn’t behave like that and yet what do we see?
Once the Middle East situation is resolved, if it can be, then he will possibly return to annoying Canada, then Greenland, and maybe your country next.
He doesn’t seem to need a reason or have a logical approach and it might not just be a new tariff.
Dennis Fitzgerald Australia
