Peter Dunne say it's harder than you think. That's only because he didn't want to legalise it but was backed into a corner and had to be seen as doing something.
Bill English was a very good finance minister, pretty good prime minister, but when it comes to the social stuff he is stuck because his religious mind is where humans have to be controlled for their own good. That stops him from thinking clearly on social issues. Indoctrination kicks in.
They are stalling, claiming they have to sort out a regulatory framework, something that has them crawling in the dark.
It is very simple. All cannabis should be legalised, so you just legalise, sit on your hands for 12 months and the regulatory framework will reveal itself.
I tried the stuff years ago. It did nothing for me, except a yucky mouth — but obviously it has a place in modern society. Successful people smoke with no problems, none more than alcohol anyway.
Our music bands were expected to do drugs, so no one chased them. And they are still playing music that we all enjoy 50 years later.
Their stalling is all about blocking; they just want it to stay banned, to keep the prisons full, the police busy and the taxpayer poor.
G R SCOWN
Whanganui
Amble thanks
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the team who organised such a wonderful Garden Amble around 10 of Whanganui's finest gardens on January 22 on behalf of Arthritis New Zealand.
Wet weather did not dampen the enthusiasm of the volunteer group, led by David Orr, who put together such an interesting tour, along with stalls and refreshments for the 200 or so people who braved the rain to take part.
As the new CEO of Arthritis New Zealand, I very much appreciate the efforts of volunteer support groups like these who are dedicated to helping improve the life of every person affected by arthritis. As there are now at least 647,000 New Zealand adults with some form of arthritis, and only 21 per cent of our income comes from DHB contracts, we are very grateful for the support of communities like yours.
For those who were not able to buy a ticket to the Garden Amble, donations can be made at www.arthritis.org.nz or $20 by phoning 0900 333 20. Our toll-free number for advice and support is 0800 663 463.
PHILIP KEARNEY
Chief executive, Arthritis New Zealand/Kaiponapona Aotearoa
Action overdue
Sounds of the warmest summer on record: I am sitting here by the open window. I hear a couple of lawnmowers growling somewhere, the main road traffic is rumbling in the distance. A jet plane is leaving its vapour trail in the sky.
Comforting sounds and sights you might say, but for me they are not.
Worldwide, the climate is in trouble. We call it "climate change", but, really, the climate is not changing; it has been steady for thousands of years. The truth is not that the climate is changing, but that all of us, aided by our machinery, are changing the climate!
"Climate change" really is not the right word. It should really be called "climate destruction" and we should be more aware who the culprits are.
If we fail to halt the destruction, (that means if we don't change our whole way of life) the consequences will be horrendous. Large parts of the Earth will be too dry to grow food and even too hot for people to survive.
Thousands of refugees are on the move, and a recent cartoon showed Australian boat people setting out for New Zealand — a distinct possibility.
Mexican mothers left thousands of starving children at the US border, hoping the border guards would take pity on them. Trump now wants to send them back.
Politicians will not and cannot move if the people are not behind them. It is up to all of us to put our heads together and find out what the big changes are we so urgently have to make.
We have a long list to work through and, really, we do not have much time left.
NICK PYLE
Whanganui
Send your letters to: The Editor, Wanganui Chronicle, 100 Guyton St, PO Box 433, Wanganui 4500; or email editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz
