Ian Findlay
Napier
Polling scuppered CGT
When will the penny drop to those heaping such adulation on Ardern and Peters for canning the CGT?
They didn't. The majority of the New Zealand voters told them in no uncertain terms through their continual polling (party) that bring in CGT and you are definitely gone come the 2020 General Election.
What a major flip flop to save their collective political backsides.
Jim Radich
Hilsborough
Sri Lanka coverage
I have to say I was somewhat surprised that the lead on the day after the Sri Lankan bombing was not that significant event, but of a relatively minor Pikes River dad bemoaning the fact that he had bullied his son to go mining that fateful day.
I would have thought that, following our massacre, our leading newspaper would have led with the sad Sri Lankan bombing where many more folk lost their lives.
Chris Blenkinsopp
Beach Haven
Capitalising for social change
John Roughan's urging for the PM to use her political capital for needed changes (NZ Herald, April 22) is timely and reminds me of related phrases: social capital and socialised capital.
I agree about opportunities to be seized in the first half of a three-term election cycle – including policies that can transition us to a society where savings and investment can be put into productive enterprises rather than only boomers' retirement funds.
Aside from the opportunity to channel sparse capital into productive use, the Key government spurned one to subsidise a transition to solar power for all of New Zealand. Imagine the use of hydro-produced socialised capital put towards universal social capital.
Remaining "Mum and Dad" investors may use their shareholding profits to finance their children's and grandparents home-buying and education, but isn't universality a better choice for a low-wage society ?
I would like to see two other uses of Ms Ardern's current political capital: an immediate bill for a four-year election cycle and against coat-tailing. And a bold initiative offering alternatives to the Israel-Palestine impasse. With the usual honest brokers preoccupied or less than honest, why not combine with Canada to offer innovative grounds for a peace process worthy of the name?
Steve Liddle
Napier
Notre Dame tragedy
The real tragedy of Notre Dame is not the loss of a beautiful building, but the rush to pledge billions to re-build. In a time when government funding is stretched thin, perhaps the money could go towards a more meaningful purpose?
If the same donors were asked to contribute to a fund to clean up and dispose of plastic waste, would they be so quick to respond? Would they respond at all? How about solutions that will benefit the planet, the endangered wildlife or insect populations. One billion dollars could be used to fund environmentally friendly sources of electricity and transport.
When the earth reaches its limit, Notre Dame will still be here, but there may be nobody left to appreciate it.
Emily Hansen
Napier
End of Life Choice
Opponents of the "End of Life Choice" bill are now facing their last ditch stand. Paula Salisbury (NZ Herald, April 22) tells us they've even found a Doctor Herx to come over and refer to the Canadian experience as making 'chilling reading' - just where this reading is to be found and based on what, we're understandably not told.
Has there been an outcry from the citizens of this civilised and democratic country to abolish their legislation? Of course not - nor has there been from any of the 21 countries/states enjoying end of life choices. In repeated and recent polls by reputable market research organisations, New Zealanders indicate that they, too, want this choice. Our MPs know this and will vote for this bill.
Patricia Butler
Nelson
Unseen police patrols
Much is written regarding the appalling number of traffic accidents and bad driving. However, taking a recent road trip from north of Kaitaia to Auckland, approximately five-plus hours driving, I did not encounter one police nor traffic patrol car, not even a speed camera van which only serve to generate a money gathering exercise anyway.
A police presence acts as a deterrent and also incurs demerit points for law-breaking drivers as well as fines.
Our police force is woefully underfunded and understaffed, so Government hand wringing regarding these statistics is all window dressing.
Increase our traffic patrols.
Jackie McCabe
Kaitaia
Ukrainian family
The situation regarding the Ukrainian family who own and run the La Vista Restaurant in St Heliers is becoming farcical.
As reported in last Thursday's Herald the family, including five children, have lived in New Zealand since 2013. They employ 26 people. and run a hugely popular business. Their kids attend local schools.
Following a petition signed by more than 15,000 people, the Minister of Immigration has granted them permission to stay for another 12 months - for the third time.
For goodness sake, grant them permanent residency. Now — not in 12 months.
Dennis Ross
St Heliers
Wealth gap solution
I am at total loss to understand why some people are obsessed with the so called wealth gap in New Zealand (NZ Herald, April 22).
It should never be any part of government policy to redistribute wealth. The job of government is to provide the normal things that are necessary for its citizens, that cannot be provided by others.
Some of these are: freedom from internal attack (police justice and, as a last resort, prisons). Freedom from external attack (armed forces). Health (hospitals). Education (university and schools). Freedom for its citizens, provided they do not violate the laws.
Forceful redistribution of wealth goes against all of this. It simply takes money from people who have legally earnt it, then giving it to those who have not.
There is one very simple way for people to rise, if they want, out of the so-called working class that Gary Hollis mentions. Work harder and make the necessary sacrifices.
If you are not prepared to do that, then don't expect free handouts from those who are.
Michael Walker
Blockhouse Bay
Short & Sweet
On wealth
If 10 per cent of New Zealanders own 60 per cent of New Zealanders wealth and two men own as much as the bottom 30 per cent that means there's only 10 per cent left for the rest of us.
Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay
On religion
Dear Cherry and Derek, I attend church and have watched all the Monty Python movies and found that laughter is good medicine. Don't take life too seriously; you'll never get out of it alive.
Glenn Forsyth, Taupō
On comedians
If Ukraine can vote a comedian for President I vote Tim Shadbolt for Prime Minister.
Karola Wheeler, West Harbour
On going forward
Something has crept into our vocabulary lately and is driving me nuts: people discussing something "going forward" What does that mean? And why don't they say "going backward" also? Maybe someone with a greater knowledge of these things could explain this to me.
Julie Pearce, Matamata
On hooligans
As often happens following a major tragedy, have we gone too far the other way? Seen on Good Friday TV, noisy hooligan boy racers in Christchurch warned to "keep away from the mosques". What about Christian churches on this significant day?
Hylton Le Grice, Remuera
On Pike River
Has anyone checked on Winston Peter's itinerary for the Pike River day?
AD Kirby, Papamoa
