Volcano shows politicians who is in charge

I AM sorry to see that the Icelandic volcano saga has returned, albeit hopefully for just five minutes this time.

But the one big bonus of all this, is that all these Save the Planet people are again having their knuckles rapped by Mother Nature. She has told them in no uncertain terms (with CO2 emissions that make a single aeroplane’s a drop in the ocean): “I am the boss, not you.”

Don’t get me wrong: of course it is our duty to try not to pollute the environment. And it is incumbent upon us to try to leave the world a better place for future generations.

But I have never bought this nonsense that “global warming is largely man-made”. Since time began, the world has undergone all sorts of temperature fluctuations. Greenland was once green: and Hannibal led his elephants over the Alps because the snow and ice were in retreat in that period.

I regard most of the worldwide “carbon footprint” legislation, as an attempt by politicians to tax us more and above all, to them wanting to control us more.

So, a big thank you to Mother Nature for putting these politicians in their place.

Warranty minefield

From: Dennis Whitaker, Baildon, Shipley.

with reference to David H Rhodes’ letter on electrical appliance warranties (Yorkshire Post, May 25), I reply from the perspective of a Euronics dealer of which there are some 900 or so independent outlets in the UK and Northern Ireland.

For the uninitiated, the electrical retail industry is split into white goods and brown goods, the latter being TV, audio and video etc. My own experience is limited to white goods.

The UK domestic electrical market is fiercely competitive and my contention is that products are either made “up to a standard” or “down to a price”. Clearly, on products made down to a price, the guarantee is limited, however, these products have to be of merchantable quality and therefore, should attract more than a one year guarantee.

Bosch, Siemens, Neff, Miele and Liebherr all come with a two-year warranty. In times of promotion, some appliances are extended (free of charge) to five or even 10 years. Extended warranties are usually sold on a one-plus or two-plus basis which take into account the manufacturer’s liability. With vacuum cleaners, Dyson, Miele and Sebo offer a five year guarantee. However, many Dyson spares are made in China, doubtless more affordable. Lec Refrigeration, I understand, give a three-year warranty through certain outlets but this comprises one plus two paid for by Lec. Panasonic now have a washing machine with a five-year warranty but of course, offers on all products change daily.

A number of companies under Italian control give a one-year labour and five-years parts guarantee so here, you factor in the cost of labour to gain free parts. By and large, you get what you pay for, so if you can find a dealer whose product knowledge you trust and one with the ability to give the best value for your budget, you will navigate this minefield safely.

Referendum demand

From: D Wood, Thorntree Lane, Goole.

with reference to Mr Swaby’s letter (Yorkshire Post, May 20), he states that when Nick Clegg called for a referendum there was no response from the “alleged majority”.

He obviously does not read the Yorkshire Post often enough, as the letters pages at that time were full of correspondence pointing out that, among other things, the Lisbon Treaty was in fact the EU constitution by another name.

As for Nick Clegg and his call for a referendum, he, like the other two so-called major parties, promised us a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty (EU constitution) but then when it was put to a vote he and his Lib Dem pals abstained, thus denying us the promised referendum.

I am in no way confused, the simple fact of the matter is a few hundred MPs of whatever political persuasion – surely a minority – are denying us, millions of voters, a referendum on who runs this country without a mandate to do so.

Sympathy for students

From: Peter R Hyde, Kendale View, Driffield.

i CANNOT help but feel sympathy for the school students who are at present under the pressure of exams. They are striving to get into university or into jobs. Those who go to university will be faced with debt when they graduate or drop out and where are the jobs for these young people to occupy?

They must be very concerned as to their future. When my fellows and I left school, there wasn’t the problem of getting a job, mainly because we all had modest expectations.

Of course, there are many who have no intention of seeking employment, having been brought up in a culture of reliance on the Welfare State.

Shaming litter louts

From: D Downs, Mountbaten Avenue, Sandal, Wakefield.

I HAVE read the letters relating to the problems of litter louts over a couple of years. While I agree with the content of Jo Moran’s letter (Yorkshire Post, May 28), I have come to the conclusion that only education and shaming will have any effect on the culprits.

My attempt to possibly reduce the problem is to insist that all portable drinks containers and all the elements of food packaging, be embossed with a slogan such as “Bin it not Drop it”.

Another thing I would consider is a special tax on the manufacturers of portable drink containers and all kinds of food packaging, which, is then redistributed to local authorities to clear the trash left by morons. Yes, it would penalise all of us by having to pay more for such goods, but it is a price we now have to bear in this day and age to keep our roads and countryside clear of litter.