Short and sweet

On kiwifruit

Congratulations to Zespri for achieving a $34.6 million annual profit, and how about a bonus for its local customers? Let them have kiwifruit of export quality, or perhaps charge a lower price, as befits the product sold locally being deemed unacceptable for export. We get the poorer-standard fruit at top price.

Ian Girven, Orewa.

On superannuation

Bill English’s repeating of the mantra of no action on superannuation is tantamount to dereliction of duty. This is a populist government that makes decisions based on public reaction. It knows any future government will be vilified for acting responsibly in this area. It is time that it got some guts and made decisions based on need, rather than votes.

Reg Dempster, Albany.

On beneficiaries

Problem: having to return to work when the youngest child is 3, not 5, as previously. Solution: have more babies. Families will then have more than enough children and no experience in family planning.

June Krebs, Gulf Harbour.

On vaccination

Apparently it is fine for a mother to “choose” not to breastfeed her baby or “choose” elective C-section, but not OK to choose alternatives to vaccination. I suspect it is considered more costeffective to simply jab the child at regular intervals. It keeps the pharmaceutical companies in profit and gives a semblance of authority to a national healthcare system that has forgotten what health means.

Rowan Miller, Kerikeri.

On Irish vote

Congratulations to Ireland on its gay marriage referendum vote. We were not so privileged. Our Parliament passed that law, denying us democratic process.

Helen Acraman, Te Atatu Peninsula.