Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in www.connectme.com.fj/news/opinion. I thank Allen and Connect for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.
No more Fiji Time at Police Station?
The Police have raised their vetting and clearance fees. Some as much as 500%. But I’m glad that Minister of Defence and National Security Ratu Epeli Ganilau has reassured us that with it will come exceptional service. Well, with a hike like that we can only say “Thank God” we will get good service.
And the good old “Fiji Time” will be a thing of the past in the Police department. A mate said: “Allen, with that kind of fee, you just have to think of what you want and it will be delivered to you.”
And the good old “Fiji Time” will be a thing of the past in the Police department. A mate said: “Allen, with that kind of fee, you just have to think of what you want and it will be delivered to you.”
Tax breaks
The tax threshold has been lifted to $15,000. If you earn that or below you don’t pay tax. If a husband, wife and two children all earn say $14,000, $12,000, $10,000 and $9,000 a year respectively, they will not pay tax. Their total income will be $45,000 per annum - tax free. On the other hand a person on a sole salary of $45,000 per annum will be subject to a tax of $2,134 + 31% of excess over $22,000.And he or she will pay the same prices in the shops.
Waste worry
Stray dogs are not the only problem in our neighborhood. Sammy, Joey, Dux and Joseph – yes, one of my neighbours’ dogs is called Joseph - and many other dogs that have homes usually come into our yard to look for food.They leave “good morning, have a nice day” notes.
We take great care with rubbish and store it in our waist high washtub, which is out back.Lately a strange thing has been happening. Rubbish has been lifted from our washbasin and torn to bits some distance away.
Our City Council is hard at work eradicating stray dogs. If you find that dogs have been freed from traps it could be this same seemingly clever dog.If in the event you catch a canine that walks upright and has palms as front paws, please do call me.
Extra time
Daylight saving is fascinating.On Monday it was a quarter past seven in the evening and we were still playing volleyball.I know, we benefited, we had one whole extra hour of fun in the sun.Some people worked an extra hour, some played sports, some spent that hour in their plantation and some people wondered what was going on.
Begging out
A rich America businessman went to board a train and saw a beggar selling pencils on the platform. They cost 50 cents each.He dropped a dollar into the tray and got on the train.Before the train left he realised he had done something terrible. He went back and said: “I’m sorry, I’ll take my pencils. I’m a businessman just like you, you sell good pencils.”
A few months later the businessman met a finely dressed young man.He said: “I was the beggar selling pencils that day.You gave me back my dignity when you treated me that way.Thank you.”
One wonders if we were to treat all our beggars that way. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for life. When you give a man something for nothing you deny him his dignity and you rob him of his destiny.
A few months later the businessman met a finely dressed young man.He said: “I was the beggar selling pencils that day.You gave me back my dignity when you treated me that way.Thank you.”
One wonders if we were to treat all our beggars that way. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for life. When you give a man something for nothing you deny him his dignity and you rob him of his destiny.
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