Right now, New Zealand is following very close behind, something we should be ashamed of.
Interestingly, Sweden has a population similar in size to New Zealand, yet it has one of the lowest incarceration rates anywhere, and a correspondingly low rate of return offenders.
Perhaps this new advisory committee could look at what is being done there.
Finally, while I support the formation of the above committee, I feel it should also include a former prison inmate or two because, as I know from personal experience, once a person has been incarcerated, they develop a completely different mindset towards authority.
Only a former inmate can understand this, and until an offender or offenders can be successfully rehabilitated, they will continue to offend.
Rod Anderson
Castlecliff
Population shortfall
In the Chronicle of July 21, there surely was a typing error. Tell me there was a typing error ...
The article said in order to save the planet Earth, we should have only one child.
Look at the mathematics.
One mum, one dad have one boy; mum dies, two males left. Fifty years later both males die in a car accident - nobody left.
Whatever the multiple, the equation is the same. A population with this philosophy goes back to extinction.
It is not often you see glaring irresponsibility in the media and this is clearly one.
Falling population equals falling market equals falling workforce, equals falling standards of living. Only the wealthy survive until they run out of labour, then they have to do the work themselves. I do hope I'm there to watch.
Why do you think we are bringing in migrants? It is to make up for the shortfall of two children - two-children families are a falling population.
Falling population, falling GDP, falling patients for doctors, falling clients for lawyers, fewer teachers, falling readers for the Chronicle.
F.R. Halpin
Gonville
- Edited
Neurotoxin in Auckland?
Fluoride may not be killing droves of Aucklanders, as Elwyn Evans assures us it is not, but is there any post-mortem toxicology data on that?
It is, indeed, a neurotoxin. The symptoms for which would be irrationality, outbursts of road rage, unreasonable expectations, a tendency to live in close proximity with other sufferers and a lower average IQ ...Oh dear!
Mike Philo
Okoia
Job market repressive
In my opinion, the well-minded intentions of prior governments have had repercussions on individual's needs, especially when it relates to job-seeking.
In past eras we had more of a free careers and labour market. Nowadays the job market was has become more developed and repressive.
Under past governance, if any individual presented a decent portfolio to the Labour Department - particularly in Whanganui - it became easier to find suitable employment, reach living standards and be accepted in the workforce in New Zealand's way of life.
Possibly our leniency during previous administrations was to blame for this dilemma.
Our nation was previously having major success rates internationally in terms of a concise labour market.
In my opinion privatisation and those impacts play major roles in the way businesses employ individuals, and this often still has an impact today, particularly in the regions.
M. Lee
Whanganui
