Meth scourge
In World War II, the Germans adopted a drug for use in the Wehrmacht as early as 1938. Manufactured by Temmler and marketed under the name Pervitin, soldiers using it lost all moral compass and were ready, without mercy, to pull the trigger on anyone deemed to be a threat. It soon became a favourite of the SS death squads.
With the attention of the whole country now focused on defeating or at least containing the spread of Covid-19, it is easy to leave what we now call P in the background. Covid-19 may one day become somewhat controlled but P never will.
The drug is already the scourge of Northland, and the Bay of Plenty is being supplied by the newly imported gangs, but it is now becoming endemic to New Zealand.
P is not a "recreational drug" (whatever that is). It is a killer.
The evidence is that one dose of 3-5g is enough for the user to be hooked. Those peddling the drug know this, and the first dose is free, guaranteeing their river of money will never run dry.
Well-armed criminals will keep on "pulling the trigger".
Rob Elliott, Kohimarama.
Games heat
Regrettably, Covid-19 restrictions will result in an entirely different Olympics, from many perspectives. I have attended three Olympics: Montreal (1976), Los Angeles (1984), and Sydney (2000). Packed stadiums and the full-throated roar of the crowds was an emotional and thrilling experience, for spectators and the competitors alike.
But at the upcoming Games, there is more than Covid-19 to contend with, as far as the competitors are concerned. Their performances will suffer in the face of the humidity and heat. July and August summer heat to the measure of around 30C plus. In Tokyo, in 1964, Peter Snell won his two gold medals in the much milder weather of autumn. The temperature when he won the 1500m on October 21 was 19.6C.
Athletes always seem to be the pawn in the Olympic scheme of things, which are always beyond their control.
Vern Walker, Green Bay.
Berth difficulties
There is much consternation regarding the floating carpark being built at Kennedy Point.
Those that think this is a new concept may like to travel with Sealink to see the hundreds of cars floating across the water while parked on the ferries.
Ferries have been transporting vehicles, emitting fumes and creating wash for decades but no one seems to have an issue with that.
Geoff Wake, Kennedy Point.
Living in poverty
The 3.3 per cent inflation statistic has now effectively cancelled the $20 benefit increase given in July.
In order to make a significant difference to those existing in high rental, run-down housing and relying on food parcels and charities, the Government has to be big, brave and bold and provide a liveable benefit or top up low wages in order to meet these needs. With the medium wage for Māori at a mere $24,000 and non-Māori at $34,000, this is nowhere near a liveable amount. Divided by 12, $24,000 is $2000 a month, then divided by 4 =$250 a week. Subtract rent, power, clothing, transport, food, and you are way in debt. No accounting for entertainment, sports activities, celebrations or the rare treat.
Perhaps the politicians and CEOs could try living on this wage for a month to see what it feels like to live in deprivation like at least half of New Zealanders do.
Marie Kaire, Whangārei.
Philip Sherry
A favourite memory of Philip Sherry is from when we came to Auckland for a meeting of key people involved in an upcoming telethon. We were having a meal at our hotel when a stranger came over to shake his hand. As he left, the diner said, "It's been such a thrill to meet you, Mr Toft."
Philip graciously returned the compliment, then turned to us and quietly said, "Dear Bill [Toft], they still remember him after all this time." He wasn't the least bit offended.
A wonderful, wonderful man, and so humble. Requiescat in pace, Philip.
Rod Pascoe, Mt Albert.
Sounds familiar
The Mayor of Auckland has issues with the Government's plan for water management in New Zealand. His concern, it could end up being run by unaccountable, faceless bureaucrats. I'm guessing he means people he will have no control over.
I'm sure many Auckland ratepayers feel the same way about Council Controlled Organisations. Organisations they have to pay for, run by faceless bureaucrats they can't vote out.
N. H. Arnold, Mt Roskill.
Short & sweet
On Trump
Huge supportive reaction to Trump's appearance at UFC, where he said, "It's not me they detest, it's you - I'm just in their way." Very droll. Darryl Higgins, St Mary's Bay.
On farmers
It is easy to play the role of victim, but much harder to prepare a constructive plan giving a cleaner environment to future generations. G Henderson, Northcote.
I support the farmers. We are in desperate need of a government that will consciously listen to all sections of our society and not just pander to their voter base. Lynden Garrard, Torbay.
They seem to be doing very well to be able to afford such high-quality, high-priced equipment. A few more clapped-out tractors might have made their "protest" a bit more credible. Clyde Scott, Birkenhead.
Many farmers, thank goodness, are conservationists but these protesters are looking backwards and give them all a bad name. Frankie Letford, Hamilton.
On Hosking
If you are a regular follower of Hosking you would think we are living in a Third World state led by a bunch of morons. Alan Brennan, Epsom.
On Government
One hundred thousand houses; that failed to build themselves. A cycle bridge to Fairyland; to carry all the elves. Tony Brennan, Mt Maunganui.
The premium debate
Interest rates
I'm firmly in the camp where printing free money has consequences. And the consequence is inflation. And that's what we are now seeing all over the world. And it's only just started. One of the bad things about inflation is it feeds itself over time and is hard to get out of. So we're in for the long haul. Grant H
We all should have been told that things are tight and tighten your belt. Some of us saved and did without. No government support; paying tax to support many that had and are still having a party. Chris B
A good proportion of the printed money went on wage subsidies to keep New Zealand workers in their jobs through the lockdowns and decreased business incomes. Yes, some businesses have "gone to the wall"' and that is a sad thing, but many more could have followed if this Government hadn't printed money and spent it on keeping them going. Denise F
It seems like the banks are set to make more money. They have thrown their net out, caught a big lot of fish, and now it's time to reel them all in and make some money. Glen C
There is no way the New Zealand economy will inflate, as we no longer own enough profits to sustain the amount of foreign-owned profits being removed from our economy -$20 billion profit per annum and counting. A huge reset is near, similar to mortgagee sales in the 1980s when SH1 was littered with real estate signs. Leon D
A good reminder for those of us who recall 20 per cent-plus interest rates how damaging they were. Susan M
This is one of the fundamental reasons why you invest in property. It's a leveraged hedge against inflation. Full control over an asset with a minimum amount of money and let time and inflation do their thing. And when you sell you are selling in future dollars. Aaron M
The Fed keeps the stimulus flowing despite inflation sitting at about 3.5 per cent but with a rising trend. Even the Democrats keep pouring money into Wall Street. Whenever the next market correction occurs, global markets will reflect the over-valued stocks, caused entirely by stimulus and no interest on cash. Walter H
