Park critics noisy but few of them
Last Saturday night I was at Eden Park at the top of the South Stand at the G9 Golf. I am a volunteer and attend almost every event held at Eden Park. Every time a race started at Western Springs, the noise was deafening, and we could not hear each other speak.
I love the Speedway, but where was the flood of complaints in the Herald about the noise? Every time something is on at the park, the subject of new stadiums, shutting down Eden Park etc is aired on this page.
At various events, I have spoken to many locals who say the complainers are few but seem to make the most noise. The problems that Eden Park have making money are directly related to the Auckland Council’s desire to have its own stadium. Maybe it is time the council took notice of the majority and not the minority just because it suits their cause. A few more events like the G9 Golf would go a long way to making Eden Park for itself.
Even if we eventually get a new stadium, by the time the council gets itself into gear and approves anything, Eden Park will likely have fallen down anyway.
Trish Heikoop, Pakuranga.
Stadium partnership
Simon Wilson quotes Liane Ngamane of the Independent Ma¯ ori Statutory Board as being disappointed there was “no acknowledgement of the Treaty partnership” in plans for a new stadium. My understanding is that the Treaty is between Ma¯ ori and the Government. The citizen-elected body that is the Auckland Council is not a party to the Treaty and has no legal liability towards Ma¯ ori as distinct from other citizens.
Certainly there is no “partnership” and while Ma¯ ori culture and art should feature in activities of the council, there is no good reason every public activity needs to be subject to the approval of unelected Ma¯ ori. Trevor Elwin, Half Moon Bay.
What dignity?
Your editorial tells the House Democrats to “do what they can to show the US is dignified, respected and great again”. Huh? The violent rioters of the anti-Trump “resistance” and the rabble protesters, along with the #MeToo women screechers, are supposed to present a dignified model for conduct? Trump's comparatively [forthright] language was a relief after PC jargon and platitudes, plus the slanted reportage lingo of the media.
Anne Wilks, Devonport.
Ours is no better
I find it strange that people can criticise the US electoral system when our own, with two electoral systems, one for Ma¯ ori and one for the rest, leaves much to be desired and our own Government was not even elected by a clear majority. Like it or not, the US Constitution guarantees certain freedoms, whereas we have none, but rely upon the honesty of our politicians and the power of the voting booth to do the right thing. And Trump, like or hate him, is elected by his own people not by us so our views should be put aside in the name of good relations with the US. Bruce Woodley, Birkenhead
Needless loss
I am somewhat confused about the profusion of media stories on the Le Quesnoy battle. World War I was by all accounts one of the greatest wastes of human life in the 20th century. The solders were fighting to protect an imperial political system long past any useful purpose. In the end they fought as ordered by mostly incompetent leaders and for their friends in the trenches. The last point being the main redeeming quality of the war. They showed courage in the face of the awful reality of industrial warfare.
We should not celebrate Le Quesnoy as a great victory but commemorate it as a tragic last battle with 140 New Zealanders dead, that a week later would not have been needed as the armistice began. It is true the town was spared destruction, which was amazing.
Let’s get a full and balanced picture of our war efforts and not try to paint events into some version of the truth that our solders would not recognise.
Bill Carlin, Glendowie.
Abortion law
The editorial on Tuesday stated that “any of the options provided by the Law Commission for abortion would be an improvement on the present regime, bringing the law up to date with real life”, and claimed option one, for termination on request at any stage of pregnancy, would probably be preferred by Labour.
Is there anyone who would so casually support abortion of a fully-formed child at 22 weeks gestation and beyond, because that would bring the law “up to date with real life”? What sort of culture do we have today if in the service of “real life” the life of the unborn at an advanced stage of pregnancy can be terminated at will? Sounds more like a horror story than “real life”. June Kearney, West Harbour.
Babies needed
An appalling editorial on Tuesday. Women have ample opportunity to prevent pregnancy if desired. Think first and be responsible. New Zealand needs these children. That is what they are from day one of pregnancy.
Heather Lynch, St Heliers.
Good old days
Your correspondent Dave Morris claims Rogernomics provides a plentiful supply and variety of hard liquor and all the dinky little phones we could desire. Fair enough. I just wish keeping warm in winter didn't cost so much, decent food wasn't so expensive, wages and rents didn't have to be subsidised by the taxpayer and a deregulated building industry hadn't created so many leaky homes.
Still, there's probably nothing wrong with Rogernomics, as it has come down to us, that a comprehensive capital gains or wealth tax couldn't fix, and if any rightof-centre party were to adopt such a measure it would have my support.
More sadly, the will to find a way of reducing the gap between the haves and have-nots has found little purchase amidst all the virtue-signalling, PC rhetoric of what now passes for the left.
Kerry Craig, Mt Eden.
Rapid reform
In response to David Morris, I agree Muldoon’s were not glory days but they did not portend the hellish years that followed. Subsequently, many communities suffered 20 per cent-plus interest rates, dramatic increases in suicide, post office and bank closures and increases in inter-generational unemployment. We lost free tertiary education, high housing levels and free medical care in exchange for an increase in colour choices of new toys.
The architects of this “shock doctrine” received honours, knighthoods and awards. Now we struggle with the fallout. The corporatisation of democratic institutions and their managerialism approach has continued, including colonising the language of progressives, sustainability and environmentalists to sell their economic product. What cost to subsequent generations has been Morris’ increased “range of good whiskey”?
Grant Gillon, Devonport.
Hospitality jobs
The need to train Kiwis has been discussed for years. Unfortunately while we give out the dole to many able-bodied young people who can't be bothered getting out of bed in the morning, let alone try for work in another town, this will continue. Most cafes, restaurants and bars are full of young Northern Hemisphere people who have get up and go, speak good English and work hard. Most of those I have met have manners and love to chat about their home and country so it's a twoway learning curve.
Susan Lawrence, Kohimarama.
Shoulder tackle
I may have missed it but I have been looking for the official word from World Rugby explaining the difference between the no-arms tackle by SBW in the 2016 Lions second test which led to a red card and a substantial stand-down, and the high no-arms tackle by Farrell of England last weekend which did not even receive a penalty. I think rugby followers worldwide would like to know the difference in these seemingly identical events.
R. C. Bell, Silverdale.
Not intentional
There was nothing contentious at all with Owen Farrell’s hit on Andre Esterhuizen. Seeing his arms flip back from the clash shows he intended to wrap him up ball and all. If you go in half-hearted you will be the one hurt.
I’m looking forward to seeing who has the widest smile, though, Sunday morning: Eddie Jones or Steve Hansen. Hope it’s a hard, clean cracker of a game.
Glenn Forsyth, Taupo.