Easter Sunday Trading
I am deeply disappointed that John Key is denying National MPs a conscience vote on Easter Sunday trading. There has been a longstanding convention that politicians should have a conscience vote on issues such as this, as they did in 2009 when a similar bill was voted down.
The Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill, that recently passed its third reading, allows individual councils to decide whether or not shops can open on Easter Sunday. I see this as the government passing the buck to councils, rather than dealing with the issue itself.
The religious holidays have significant meaning to a number of people; not just because they are religious days, but also because there’s traditionally been a culture in New Zealand that these days are an opportunity for workers to spend time with their families and communities.
I am personally opposed to trading on Easter Sunday, except for core services. There are enough days in the year to trade – this is a day for families. It’s important to keep some days in the calendar free from commercialism.
Hamilton
the night. The two carer’s tried to get the nurse in charge to come and give him something for his pain. They repeatedly asked her for help but she wouldn’t even leave her desk to investigate. It wasn’t until my brother arrived at 6am that she suddenly appeared and started acting concerned and wanting to help. Since then my aunt has been in that home and had a good standard of care.
No matter how good a rest home is it only takes one employee who doesn’t care and, worse, is abusive to wreck the reputation of the rest home. When the man at Cascades stopped singing and whistling and started saying ‘‘don’t hit me, I’m dumb’’ it should have been a major alert for the rest home and they failed in their duty to follow that up.
There are now a lot of rest homes and we should all be aware of what is happening around us.
Hamilton
Tararu Cemetery. For many of these people, Graeme Pearce would be their number one Kiwi – friendly, helpful and a fine ambassador for Thames and New Zealand.
It is good to hear that some fuel for his machines is supplied by local contractors, but one wonders if the local council and the people of Thames fully appreciate Mr Pearce’s dedication and hard work. Some further recognition and assistance would seem the least that can be done for a person who is such an asset to the area.
Te Aroha