Debate on euthanasia is a polarising one

A VERY dear friend has suffered terribly from rheumatoid arthritis for some 40 years.

Having advocated for like sufferers she understands their concerns deeply.

As a lover of life she is second to none, and with a Roman Catholic background was not naturally inclined towards assisted death.

Now, however, she sees things from a different perspective, and believes that with stringent controls people should be able to determine their own time of death.

She believes that they do this within their own conscience.

Having seen how the Netherlands system works, two inlaws having had assisted deaths when in the later stages of terminal illnesses, I feel that their system has the right checks and balances.

It shows how a caring society can behave in a humane manner.

Ray Jackson

Christchurch

I BELIEVE there are a multitude of reasons to say no to David Seymour’s ‘‘End of Life Choice Bill’’.

There has been much concern over New Zealand’s high suicide rate.

If the Government says you can choose death if you are over 18 when life becomes too difficult or painful I don’t believe this Bill will help.

I fear it will condone it.

Let’s not do this. J. Buswell

Waverley

How about rail coaches?

IT’S hardly surprising that Dunedin’s infrastructure cannot cope with the influx of cruiseship passengers that we are experiencing. We need some longterm planning to ensure the future of this industry.

Why doesn’t the council invest in rail coaches so that cruise ship passengers can more easily be transported to and from the city? This would alleviate the long queues experienced by visitors to the city as well as the inconvenience to West Harbour residents who face a barrage of oncoming cruiseship buses to and from work.

A winwin situation for all.

Adele Woolley

Port Chalmers