TO THE POINT

My grandson asked me: ‘‘Poppa, why do we cut down trees and put lights on them for Christmas?’’ ‘‘To celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ,’’ I answered. ‘‘Why don’t we just buy him a cake?’’ he replied. Kids’ logic is so simple. ROGER WRIGHT, Hastings It was interesting reading More pensioners hit by super-docking scheme (December 22). Canada has the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) in addition to government super. The latter is paid out of taxes. CPP is funded by the employer and the employee, the government does not contribute anything. Irrespective, IRD in New Zealand takes this as pension and deducts it from your New Zealand pension. Talk about tax grab. MICHAEL HOLT, Carterton If anything’s sadder than hating Christmas, it’s thinking life’s an insult to everyone’s good intentions, as Jane Bowron puts it ( I wasn’t going to have a bar of it, December 22). Because those who know that the Christmas story is actually not too good to be true also know that everything in life is ordered to their real advantage. JULIA du FRESNE, Waipukurau What a disappointment to read that the convention centre plan has been deferred. Wellington is on a roll and the Hilton Hotel and centre were a positive part of the growth. The reason for the change is not being divulged. Why? The new idea seems great, except it will attract all the usual negative comments we have heard before. GRAEME MacFARLANE, Hataitai I suggest a simple response to the concern generated by the latest Consumer sunscreen survey (December 15). For about 30 years a standard covering sunscreens in Australia and New Zealand has been in existence. While earlier versions were inadequate the current version is well designed. Unfortunately sunscreen marketers are allowed to ignore it. Dr BRIAN WILKINS, Kelburn