Sorry, not sorry when it comes to speaking out

I’M sorry if my comments offended Dean Wilson (ODT, 18.5.18) . It was not my intent to trivialise the sacrifices made by our soldiers in the great wars in order to preserve our liberties.

I know how he feels, for my father was a machine gunner at Passchendaele, as was an uncle. Three other uncles served in World War 2. One was decorated for gallantry and never returned home. Another was killed when his bomber was lost over Europe, and another survived Cassino.

I value the sacrifices made by my family and many others to preserve our liberties. Consequently, I will use these liberties to speak out for an informed choice on all matters without fearing intimidation.

Those who don’t use these liberties and yet criticise those who do are trivialising the sacrifices made.

Evan Sadler

Henley

Marama concert reviews

THE ODT’s failure to review concerts at Marama Hall, put on by the university’s music department, continues to deprive our young performers of an important aspect of their musical education.

The motto on your leader page is ‘‘Optima durant’’, something like ‘‘The best is lasting’’, but how are we to know ‘‘the best’’ without the published assessment of expert reviewers?

By ignoring the work of today’s talented young singers and musicians, your paper falls short of being ‘‘the best’’, and denies future readers their chance to spot the emergence of a new Jonathan Lemalu or Anna Leese.

To your credit, you print reviews of books, plays, films, exhibitions, symphony and chamber concerts, and performances by visiting celebrities, while reviews of sports matches are given many pages.

Why then do you not review the Marama Hall concerts?

Alan Roddick

Dunedin [We are continually reviewing our content but also have to consider editorial space constraints — Ed] ...................................

BIBLE READING: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. — 3 John 1:4.