Learning te reo enriches my life

Brandon Holman (Letters, Aug 17) says ‘‘we should not try and be bilingual as it is divisive’’.

I would say being bilingual is the opposite of divisive, it would help bring us together as one people.

Outside of the Englishspeaking world, most people naturally speak two or more languages. People don’t give it a second thought, it is a part of their lives.

It is also very good for the brain and opens our minds to other ideas and cultures.

I have been learning Ma¯ ori for more than five years now, and it has certainly enriched my life and has given me a much better insight and respect for Ma¯ ori.

Andrew Parker, Palmerston North

Delicate issue

The ignorance and cultural insensitivity of the Wellington City Council staffers who checked with South Korea to make sure deputy mayor Jill Day would not be faced with eating dog meat on her forthcoming trip is stunning.

Not only were they unaware of South Korea’s laws in this regard, but they waded blindly in to what most people would realise would be a delicate issue for Day’s hosts, namely that South Koreans had, in the past, had to use the meat of domesticated animals because they could not afford anything else.

Anne Lee, Crofton Downs

Leave it to judges

The bill before Parliament on legalising euthanasia for patients with a terminal illness is not just a medical question but one of law, so why isn’t there provision in the bill for a legal analysis of the procedure.

I recommended the whole procedure be overseen in closed court by a High Court judge where all of the emotional and quasi-religious aspects could be reduced to an independent examination in law.

The law of perjury could be examined, as could the questions of the well-considered consent by the patient followed by the medical questions of fact. Nothing less should suffice. Legal Aid could be applied for if necessary or the costs taken from the patient’s estate (if any).

Sir Bill and Lady English’s concerns could also be met if this was included as with the penalties for perjury or medical misadventure.

Steve Anderton, Paraparaumu

M¯aori in Parliament

Glenn McConnell’s column (Aug 16) leaves me in despair over the state of our education system.

He claims ‘‘Ma¯ ori are not over-represented in Parliament’’. Well, let’s do some simple maths. Ma¯ ori are 12 per cent of the population (more or less) which currently means they should have 14 MPs (more or less).

At the last count there were 28 MPs in Parliament of Ma¯ ori descent, many of them in senior positions in all of the parties. This equates to 25 per cent of the MPs (more or less). Clearly Ma¯ ori are grossly overrepresented in Parliament.

If any ethnic groups are under-represented in Parliament it is Pacific Islanders and Asians. But this doesn’t fit the columnist’s views.

Perhaps he would be happier if Parliament was 100 per cent Ma¯ ori, and the views and the rights of all others were totally ignored. It worked well in South Africa for a while.

Tony Wood, Carterton [abridged]

Hardly fair

Since Lotto brought in the Wednesday competition they have (I believe deviously) changed the conditions of the first prize for the Lotto draw.

If this prize is not won the results say ‘‘rollover’’ when in actual fact they should say ‘‘No winner’’ as they actually retain this prize and the following week the main Lotto draw again has only $1 million for the first prize.

Long-time supporters will remember that previously the first prize of the main draw jackpotted until won.

I wrote to Lotto to ask for clarification on this point and the following is their reply: ‘‘Thank you for contacting MyLotto Customer Support. Lotto jackpot always remains at $1 million whether or not it gets struck. However, Powerball rolls over, therefore the jackpot increases every draw if it is not won.’’

Doesn’t seem fair to me. What do other Lotto supporters think?

Joyce Shiel, Wainuiomata