TO THE POINT

I am not convinced we need to repeal the blasphemy law. Why not just amend the punishment to eternal damnation suspended until death? REX NAIRN, Newtown Brian Breese (Letters, May 9) wants schools to have strapping legally again. He won’t get his wish, of course, nor would any staff of today’s schools agree to do it. Thankfully. HEATHER MACKIE, Trentham You cite The New York Times editorial on James Comey’s firing, which describes the United States as the world’s oldest democracy. I would think to be a true democracy you have to enfranchise all your citizens, not just white males. On that score, New Zealand’s democracy is quite a few years older than the US version.

CHRIS BOWEN, Lower Hutt We have been told that a huge Wellington earthquake could make Auckland become our capital city again (Quake may spell goodbye to capital tag, May 4). The historical record suggests otherwise. Several capital cities have been destroyed in earthquakes but are still capital cities: Lisbon (1755), Tokyo (1923), Managua (1972), Manila (1990).

JOHN HARPER, Karori How could it possibly cost $7.2 million dollars to move the Treaty of Waitangi just 300 metres (Documents moved in stealth operation, April 22)? Have we all gone mad or was most of this ‘‘koha’’? Perhaps a documentary movie could be made of this epic journey? NEIL HARRAP, Thorndon There is a silver lining to the dismal prospect that the great narcissist might have a role to play in forming the next government: Shane Jones back around the cabinet table. A thinker with common sense and the common touch.

TIM MORICE, Motueka