Expensive adrenaline
Discarded plastic
On another glorious daily morning walk along Takapuna beach, the jewel in my city’s crown, I casually picked up another whole bag of plastic detritus. As part of our planned carbon free future by 2050 surely we could build into that a plastic free environment by 2030, or sooner.
New Zealand should be following the lead of countries such as Norway where producers are forced to take responsibility for their waste and consumers are given incentives to recycle, reuse and reduce.
If we combine these schemes with other taxation or incentives, along with sustainable alternatives and public education, surely we could rid our beaches of plastic bags (ban them nationwide), straws, coffee and disposable cups, water bottles and disposable cutlery just for starters. Marshall Smith, Takapuna.
Political stunts
As they say “beauty is in the eye of beholder” and never more so when a PM gets behind a BBQ at a public event. Depending on your political leanings it is Ms Ardern epitomising her great empathy with the public and willingness to serve the people and showing the world what a great leader is all about.
When it was Sir John Key doing the same thing, as he did on a regular basis, it was unashamed showmanship, a photo opportunity and purely and simply a vote catcher. The fact they were both told to do it by their PR people is beside the point. Bruce Eliott, St Heliers. Once again the public are demanding the New Zealand people should fund the EpiPen. The cost of this device is ridiculous and illustrates the complete greed permitted by patent laws. Auto injectors were developed by the US Army in the 1950s for use in gas warfare, loaded with hyoscine. Adrenaline is a drug with a history of over 100 years, not patented, and very cheap, less than 5c a dose.
It is hard to understand how the device is patentable, and why Pharmac doesn’t just get a contract manufacturer to produce it. As a pharmacist, I could supply an equivalent device for less than $10. Neville Cameron, Coromandel.
Immigration cut
We all understand that this year the coalition Government is forced to import migrant workers with shortterm work visas to harvest this year’s crops, to run tourist venues and to build all the houses the last Government neglected to build. But the number must decrease as this Government ensures essential skill training is promoted so more Kiwi can be employed in these jobs.
Marie Kaire, Whangarei.
Kauri undergrowth
Simon Wilson’s article in yesterday’s Herald reflected typical logic used in the kauri debate. He wrote, “Kauri nurture the other species that grow around them.” True. “If kauri die, the bush will die.” It doesn’t follow. Has Simon ever walked in the Waitakeres? There are large areas of lush, thriving bush without a kauri tree in sight, and this gives lie to the statement “the bush will die”. Change yes, die nonsense.
Russell Allen, Mangere East.
Animal torture
Thank you Chris Taylor (“Rodeo not alone”) for drawing attention to the cruelty of pig hunting. I agree it should be banned. So should bow hunting. And let us not forget that well loved “sport”, angling where unsuspecting animals are tricked into swallowing sharp, barbed hooks and then swung aloft with the hook digging ever deeper into their sensitive throats. Fisher folk frequently secure live “bait fish” to the hook by pushing a cable tie through the fish’s eye sockets, tying it above the head then attaching it to the hook. If this isn’t animal torture, what is?
Jenny Moxham, Monbulk, Vic.
Obama visit
I take exception to your correspondent Edgar Nathan’s claim that Barack Obama was “one of the most disliked presidents of the USA”. Under whose measure? Frothing racists? US Republicans? Secondly, is Mr Nathan confusing Barack Obama with Donald Trump?
Grace Carpinter, Devonport.