Letters to Editor: Give Zac support

Give Zac support in his time of need

There are letters to the Editor that make good common sense and one of these is from Mark Carter "Guildford drama needs perspective".

Yes Zac misbehaved, but he is neither the first (high profile sportsman) nor will he be the last. Some have not been quite so bad, but others have been worse (i.e. wife/partner beaters). Zac certainly needs to understand the seriousness of the problem, where it will take him and the solution, but sometimes you have to reach the bottom to know which way up is.

I am sure he will get the support and help from those who really care about him. Pressure from the public and media, behaving like hyenas around a wounded antelope "to harden him up" will not help him, in fact it will probably have the opposite effect. To those who say they have lost parents etc and survived, well you aren't Zac, in his circumstances, and an All Black to boot.

I know of some, including CEOs, doctors, pilots and Prime Ministers, who couldn't say they were not inebriated on the job. I have no knowledge of Zac having missed work (training or games) because he was under the influence, in fact if he plays that well with this problem, imagine how good he is going to be when it's sorted.

Taking his job away from him is not a positive move and I suggest that those who conduct surveys and make comments in that direction should have their job future put to a public vote when they step out of line during private time.

Let's all support him and I for one, would like to see Zac Guildford scoring the winning try in the last seconds of the next Rugby World Cup.

David Smith, Napier

Drinking culture

Cartoonists are so clever. With a few strokes, and a few words, and sometimes words are unnecessary, a cartoonist can debunk our 'sacred cows' or make pertinent social comment, or make us laugh, or even weep.

At a time when a talented young sportsman's stupid behaviour is being headlined, and probably detailed in the accompanying articles, Emmerson's cartoon (H.B.Today 15.11.11) is brilliant.

The Law Commission, headed by Sir Geoffrey Palmer, was asked to investigate our drinking culture, to call for public comment, and to bring forward some recommendations. Their brief was carried out in a very thorough and professional way. They brought forward sensible recommendations that NZ could be put into law to make a difference.

Their recommendations have been supported by many eminent people, including some in the judiciary, and by large numbers of us 'ordinary' folk.

Shame on the present government for not being bold enough to grasp the nettle firmly, and stand up to vested interests. And shame on all politicians who, in the name of "choice", have allowed our deplorable drinking habits to continue, and to escalate. And shame on us for not battering at the door that is merely going to tinker with existing laws.

Isabel Morgan, Napier

Listen to people

Your correspondent Robyn Gwynn (letter Nov 17th), makes some valid points about the lack of democracy in relation to the Trans Pacific Partnership. But New Zealand has been experiencing a destruction of our fragile democracy over a number of years.

This was exemplified, when in 2009, over 90 per cent of Hawke's Bay people, voted to get rid of the undemocratic and unnecessary anti-smacking law. Those elected from this province to represent us and our views in the house of representatives, chose instead, to represent the views of Sue Bradford.

The same thing occurred, when the people of New Zealand voted in overwhelming numbers, to reduce the number of MP's to 99.

Yet, the upcoming referendum on our electoral system does not even offer this as an option, and instead, maintains the excessive 120 MPs. In the 1999 referendum, 92 per cent voted for tougher sentences for violent offenders. Since that time, over 1000 New Zealanders have been murdered. NZ would indeed be a better country if it was a true democracy.

Stephen Jenkinson, Waipawa