Letters to the editor

Tax plan well overdue

Bring on the capital gains tax, and about time, too. I pay tax on the interest received from my bank deposits. The bank lends my money to others to buy investment houses, land and other property.
Any profit realised when these assets are sold is tax-free at present. But it's profit, why should it not be taxed in the same way as I am taxed on my investment profit?
Thousands of houses and farm properties have been bought simply to make the tax-free profits when selling. This has fuelled the house and land market so much that sellers have run out of buyers. Farms are being sold to overseas buyers so the sellers get their a tax-free profit. Our New Zealand is being sold, simply for a tax-free gain to the seller.
First-time house buyers have been pushed out of the market by those wanting speculative investment properties to on-sell for a tax-free profit.
Money has been lent from within and outside NZ, meaning we now have massive overseas debt. NZ borrows nearly $300 million per week, the government has put millions into Christchurch following the earthquake, millions into finance companies to help those affected by their collapses and some people are baulking at paying a 15 per cent capital gains tax when they've had it too good for too long.
We expect the government to be there to help when disaster strikes and support us through tough times.
It's about time that some people realised that government money doesn't grow on trees.
D Carter, Ongaonga
Charity lacking
What a truly charitable idea opening Marineland in support of Christchurch. The timing couldn't be more perfect especially with all of New Zealand being encouraged to get out there and raise funds in support of Christchurch.
Barbara, Bill, our elected council, you are all quite happy to remind us that a portion of our rates is paying for the facility to be maintained. Yet you are not happy to let it make money. You won't allow us in to get the benefit of our rates, now you won't be charitable on our behalf.
Why not open the doors during the school holidays so that we, the people of Napier, can give to others in need.
Surely our council has not forgotten that, we the people of Napier, could so easily be at the receiving end as we were back in 1931.
This stubbornness and heavy-handedness is your legacy for tomorrow.
Not looking so good is it?
Germaine Meeuws, Trevor Humphreys, Napier
Listen to kids
What a lovely idea! Not only are the children thinking about the animals they are also thinking about those suffering in Christchurch and how they can help.
Why can't we listen to the children? They have ideas and energy.
V Matata, Napier
Support for idea
Where do I sign up to be one of the volunteers? What a good idea this is to support Christchurch while giving children and adults a chance to see what is on the inside of the fence rather than trying to peek through the holes. My family would happily support this venture, even if the doors were open for only one day.
So come on council, this is for charity and you wouldn't lose face over the Marineland closure issue.
Susan Lyford, Tamatea