Victims are left out
A bill that allows terminally ill adults to choose their time of death goes to a referendum.
A bill that, according to many of us, allows the taking of the lives of human beings without their consent is being rushed through the select committee process without allowing submitters who oppose the bill entirely to appear and speak.
These victims are out of sight and out of mind: no referendum for them, not even a fair hearing before Parliament.
Welcome to secular New Zealand: it can be a brutal place, just depends who you are.
Gavan O’Farrell, Waterloo
Since we’ve all been living in the 21st century for nearly two decades now, isn’t it about time the Best and Worst column in the Wednesday Life supplement was retired? Judging women by their stylist’s choice of outfit seems like a pretty outdated basis for a column. And I can’t be the only one who usually reckons the photos have been printed in the wrong order anyway. Either start featuring a few blokes every other week, or commit the whole column to the dustbin of history. Graeme Tuckett, Mt Cook
Is there a Rugby World Cup on at the moment? I saw a one-minute clip of the All Blacks scoring a try against Ireland the other day. Otherwise it’s zippo news in Carterton. It doesn’t come up in conversation at my local pub, which doesn’t have a TV screen. There’s no bunting decorating the bar. I guess craft beer people aren’t interested in sport. There’s nothing on my TV either, but then again I only watch Al Jazeera for news these days. Is it being held in Japan? I’m just curious about that try.
Neil Douglas, Carterton
Mayor-elect Andy Foster seems to have run an entire political campaign while forgetting to mention that, if elected, he would try and flog off our city’s airport. What else hasn’t he mentioned? Thomas Lynch, Maupuia
I see the prime minister has got into a spat with TV3 presenter Mark Richardson. In accusing him of a rant, it felt very Muldoon-ish, so are journalists still allowed to question? Perhaps more time ‘‘transforming’’ and less on suppressing awkward opinions? Steve Dransfield, Karori
Porirua City Council chief executive Wendy Walker insists she ‘‘must leave politics to the politicians . . .’’ (Oct 23). If her actions were not politically motivated, why did she release damaging information against mayor Mike Tana in the week before the elections when she received legal advice not to. Andrea Scott, Churton Park
It’s good news that Auckland has decided to reduce risk in the central city by setting safe speed limits. I have no doubt this will reduce crashes and prevent serious injuries. Who could object to that? It’s unethical to trade off safety against theoretical time savings. Your move, Wellington. We deserve safe and attractive streets throughout the central city. Patrick Morgan, Te Aro
The response of the Irish to the All Blacks haka was to sing. May the English tonight, at the end of the haka, respond with a team curtsy – or at least a bow. Margaret Cochran, Thorndon
With environmental cleanup being a top issue for New Zealanders, will Rio Tinto return the land to its unspoilt state if the company closes the Tiwai aluminium smelter? Mark Richards, Crofton Downs
A question for dog owners/ walkers: do you think it’s more offensive to leave your dog’s poo on the footpath/berm, or to leave a plastic bag with your dog’s poo in it? As a resident, I find them equally objectionable. Libby Clark, Karori