Coalition debates democratic

It does not surprise me to hear the outrage and Labour bashing in the media about our Coalition government’s debates and disagreements on policy. Some people can be afraid of any disagreement and “people please” at any cost. Negotiation, compromise, debate are the tools of democracy used to produce a Coalition government united in their plan to achieve a goal. When opinions differ this doesn’t mean war, its just democracy at work. Such Coalition debates are a sign of a positive relationship as opposed to a monolithic front characteristic of dictatorship and autocracy. Discussion of disagreements increases unity. I believe such lively honest public discussions is a sign of positive relationships as opposed to a monolithic front characteristic of dictatorship and autocracy?

Caroline Mabry, Glen Eden.

Positive perspective

Thank goodness for the wisdom of Bryan Gould and the thoughtful analysis by Simon Wilson. They provide much needed perspective on how the current government is doing. Instead of the relentless focus on every word Winston Peters utters, how about giving the public a more useful interpretation of what they are actually achieving? Proportional Representation is based on discussion, power sharing and consensus, in order to produce a fairer and healthier society. It’s time more people appreciated the value of this system, instead of constantly labelling every policy compromise as a sign of weakness. The current Coalition is united by their wish to see a better, fairer society.

As Geoffrey Palmer pointed out in his book Unbridled Power, the ‘tyranny of the majority’ is not a good model for democratic , progressive government. And yet this seems to be what Simon Bridges (and many commentators ) seem to want to return to. All we need to do is look at the mess they left after nine years of power — increases in poverty, inequality and homelessness and continuing degradation of our environment. V M Fergusson, Mt Eden.

Climate change

A splendid headline in the Herald proclaiming great news for export prices of beef, lamb and wool. This together with dairy, and the easing of the NZ dollar means great news for our exporters and the economy. How ridiculous therefore for the Green Party to suggest it will be necessary to cull 20 per cent of our farm animals in order to reduce their emissions. A futile gesture which will not make one iota of difference to climate change in the world, but puts our economy at grave risk.

Hylton Le Grice, Remuera

Opposition evident

No matter what the Government does or intends to do, Simon Bridges will be against it. His attempts so far to undermine the Coalition Government have failed. It will be interesting to see if Mr Bridges (If still leader of the National party at next election) will seek a coalition with Winston Peters. Eric Bennett, Red Beach.

Anti-smacking bill

Since the anti-smacking bill came in I have written a number of letters about this stating that one day this would come back to bite us on the backside, well that day has arrived. School teachers stressing out because they have no control over the kids and the kids running riot in some cases, brawling in playgrounds (boys and girls). What did we expect when we pretty near told kids that no matter what they do they would not be held responsible? Well the experiment is over; now is the time to revert back to the real world. Sue Bradford had good intentions, but in her world protesting was a way of life, but with absolutely no idea of how the real world operates. Kids need limits and need to be taught what those limits are. At present they have all of the rights and none of the responsibilities. We are now into the second generation of no discipline allowed. It is going to be hard to get back on track and may take another generation. Many of the young people of this generation have no respect for anything, especially the law or rights of others. The number of elderly people being attacked, shop robberies and home invasions are becoming an epidemic. Police are abused and attacked at will. We have to start somewhere and now the schools are in a panic is the time.

Tom O’Toole, Taumarunui.

MMP on TV

Parliament is on TV — channel 31, Tuesday to Thursday. The majority of Kiwis should watch it to learn the mechanics of MMP. It seems the National party, plus certain journalists, can’t understand the concept either. Yet that’s why Labour is leading this country after the last election under a coalition agreement. It is just common sense that National should be chasing coalition partners. Here I am, a left wing supporter giving advice to the Tories. Who would believe it. Rex Head, Papatoetoe.

Bikes and helmets

AT and it’s big brother Auckland Council seem obsessively concerned with the death and serious injury caused to vulnerable people on our roads.

How then do they explain the authorisation and licensing of a bike share scheme (Onzo) which does not meet the health and safety requirements of their own Code of Practice?

I Bikes for hire without helmets do not meet lawful safe practice.

Catherine Moorhead, Auckland.

Emergency vehicles ignored

If you want to know how inattentive New Zealand drivers are, just watch what happens when an emergency vehicle tries to negotiate through traffic. Even with its siren wailing, coloured lights flashing, headlights ablaze and klaxon horn blaring, most people totally ignore them .

Jock MacVicar, Hauraki.

Cars now a minority

Peter Cattin needs to check some facts before claiming that Auckland’s vehicle drivers paid for the roads that “have now been ‘given’ to a few cyclists and even fewer buses”.

Firstly, these roads were paid for a great many decades ago through general taxation and rates, not by vehicle drivers.

Secondly, over 50 per cent of the ongoing maintenance on those roads is being paid for directly from property rates — that cyclists and bus users also pay. And the majority of those commuting by bus or bike do also own cars that they pay a variety of road user charges for.

Thirdly, it’s not the number of buses in the lane, but the number of people being moved in each vehicle that is important. For a few years now the number of people travelling into the CBD during peak periods by car has been fewer than the number of people using bikes, buses, trains, ferries and other non-car modes. That makes previously dominant ‘car only’ people like Peter a new minority, something they’re going to have to come to grips with as Auckland continues its improved attitude towards prioritising the movement of people, instead of 1500kg metal boxes on wheels.

Russell Baillie, Mt Eden.

Tribute to mum

With all the publicity at present about the suffragette movement, I thought it would be nice to give a tribute to my mum. She was born in 1906, and was part of a pioneering farming family. She was the first born of about 15 children, living in the outskirts of Te Puke. She was unable to gain any high academic achievements, she finished school at the age of 16 only getting to the equivalent of present year 8. This was due to interrupted schooling as a result of having to help on the farm or look after younger siblings when her mother was giving birth to others.

But in spite of all this, she managed to achieve accomplishments that I still admire her for. She had the opportunity to learn pattern drafting for dressmaking, which enabled her to sew for other people as her own business. This was necessary when she had to earn money to support herself and three children. Brave woman. There was no benefit in those days. Having been brought up in a rural setting, Mum also had the skills for providing for us off the land. We were in a State House after having lived in a Transit Camp after World War II. So, we had hens, which we ate when they had stopped laying, vegetable garden, and fruit trees, so there was lots of preserving and even the preserving of excess eggs for baking later, we never went hungry but we never ate posh. These skills were passed on to my sister and I, and I still look for ways to be frugal when necessary.

I am grateful for what I learned from her in my growing up years, there must be many women out there from that era who would have been like her.

Kathy Cook, Mt Eden.