Short & sweet

On Erebus

The memorial is attractive and welldesigned and will look brilliant. People are often conservative and opposed to new works of art, such as Michael Parekowhai’s wonderful waterfront sculpture, Give it time and even the Parnell nimbies will come to love it. J. Drake, Remuera.

On leave

Sick leave should only be used when an employee is actually sick; not taken as an annual entitlement.

Gary Andrews, Mt Maunganui.

On wages

Comments around wages and productivity bring to mind the nursery rhyme See-saw Margery Daw, believed to be originally about child workers in the Victorian era. Johnny could earn but a penny a day, because he couldn’t work any faster. Glennys Adams, Oneroa.

On oath

Our MPs should swear allegiance to New Zealand before the British Queen.

Dave Pitches, Howick. Rawiri Waititi objecting to any form of submission to “a sovereign that they never gave sovereignty to” is astounding; for surely that is exactly what Ma¯ori agreed to under article 1 of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Graham M. Upton, Freemans Bay.

On Orr

Message to Adrian Orr: Stop printing money. I worked for mine.

Reg Dempster, Albany.

On Friday

I have always understood Friday the 13th was regarded as an unlucky day. I cannot understand why the same connotation now seems to be applied to November 27. Peter Clapshaw, Remuera. I see that New Zealand is acquiring a new national anthem, More, more, more, now, now, now. Everybody is singing it. Tony Barnett, Pukekohe.

On Trump

A Guardian article was headlined “Lame duck pardons turkey” . I thought the US Supreme Court has stated a president could not pardon himself?

Rod Lyons, Muriwai.