Short & Sweet

On call

Imagine if Bill English had refused to take the call from Donald Trump. It would have put us on the front pages of the world’s press. Of course there would have been a backlash, but we Kiwis would have cheered, as would the rest of the world.

Lynton Diggle, Titirangi.

On tickets

I feel sorry for those people who have been ticketed for doing 5 km/h over the speed limit during the holiday break in the name of protecting us from speeding. Now on some of those same roads we are going to be allowed to go 110 or even 120. So it’s not speed that kills after all.

John Little, Milford.

On oafs

Rachel Stewart berates two “oafs” behind her on a plane who expressed racist views. If the two were well-groomed, obviously educated ladies who expressed similar views in milder and more reasoned tones, would she have been as indignant? A. N. Christie, Rotorua.

On swings

People who complain about the dangers of a kid’s swing on the berm must be horrified at the sight of a postman on a bicycle scooting along the footpath while pedestrians, young and old, leap out of the way into the path of the passing traffic.

Peter Culpan, Te Atatu Peninsula.

On Max

If my father was Prime Minister I would not want him to quit the free family golfing holidays around the world either. Bruce Tubb, Belmont.

On protection

Protectionism. Now there’s a word Andrew Little could bounce around a little, considering the Nats didn't offer any.

Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay.