Farm quest winner

AS A keen follower of the Young Farmer of the Year contest, andwith family participation at both regional and national level, I wasdisappointed to read your correspondent, James McConie (July 24),knocking this year's winner simply because he was not a farmer.

Andrew Finch should receive accolades because he took on our ownrural young farmers and beat them at their own game.

Many points in this contest are scored in the practical and agri-sports section and I have seen many academics score highly early inthe contest, but fall by the wayside when points for the above twosections are allocated.

From this contest comes our future leaders and not just in theagricultural sector.

So these young men who make it to the national level should beapplauded for their efforts because they have worked hard over along period of time to try to achieve their goal of Young Farmer ofthe Year.

Andrew abided by all the rules and should not be slated by anewspaper columnist because he is not working on the land.

Give credit where credit is due.

ROSS MANCER

Inglewood

READERS are invited to submit letters to the editor by e-mail.The same restrictions on content will apply as those for ordinarymail. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be signedlegibly. Only letters carrying a correspondent's surname, along withinitials or first name, will be published. Noms de plume will not beaccepted unless the editor decides the letter is clearly in thepublic interest and there is a genuine need for the author'sanonymity. Poetry is not normally accepted. The editor reserves theright to edit, abridge or decline letters without explanation. Theymust carry full addresses and a telephone number. PO Box numbers arenot acceptable. They should be sent to either: The Editor, The DailyNews, PO Box 444, New Plymouth; or, for those with Internet access,to: Editor@dailynews.co.nz

ANYONE wishing to make a complaint to the New Zealand PressCouncil should first put it in writing to the editor of thenewspaper involved. If not satisfied with the reply, persons ororganisations should then write to The Secretary, New Zealand PressCouncil, PO Box 10 879, Wellington. The complaint should beaccompanied by a clipping of the disputed article and copies ofcorrespondence with the editor.