Letters to the editor: Our view of the world is crumbling around us

Long, hard look needed

what many educated New Zealanders have been thinking for some time (Opinion, July 16).

Our comfortable view of world order is crumbling about us, and the once stable basis of our economy and security is breaking up.

We looked up to the United States as a pillar of democracy and saw it as the guardian of the Pacific Ocean on our doorstep.

Let us have courage, the people of the United States are not a docile easily dominated flock of sheep.

In the revolution, they threw off the chains of the Hanoverian monarchy, and fashioned a democracy more representative than that which prevailed in the mother country at that time.

It is likely that they will now take a long hard look at the system that allowed a demagogue like Trump to ascend to a position to which he is manifestly unsuited.

The next presidential election will see a new revolution in the political stratum, where the old system of congressional lobbying is superseded by popular opinion voiced through a vibrant free press.

Robert Shaw
Pyes Pa

Blaming one venue unfair

In regards to Bahama Hut battling to keep its liquor license (News, July 10). The local alcohol policy the Tauranga City Council and Western Bay District Council have has caused the city centre to become the Mecca for the young to congregate as they are licenced to 3am.

This means all on-licences outside the CBD can only trade till 1am, once the patrons leave other establishments outside the city centre they can drive to the city centre.

The one-way door restriction from 2am has, in my view, caused the incoming of outsiders to queue hoping they make the cutoff, those that miss do not leave the area as they have mates inside a venue and wait around, we all know idle time is not productive.

From experience, most problems came from groups outside who hadn't consumed alcohol in the said establishment.

As the drinking culture has changed with preloading and the advent of RTDs, party pills and drugs. The licensees and security have the hardest task to make sure that they can minimise and control patrons.

The city centre must be controlled with co-operation of all agencies, police and the council, in harmony with licensees.

Don't just sit back and blame one venue, to my knowledge the company concerned is doing a great job providing entertainment for the young people of today.

Brian Comrie
Waihi Beach