Courage of our convictions

Exposing concerns over “Five Eyes” obligations ( NZ Herald, November 30) alerts the public to dangers of this secretive agency.

“At issue is not the condemnation of China, which has been widespread globally and individually by each of the Five Eyes partners . . . ” writes Audrey Young, but the way it is used as a political vehicle without NZ public debate.

The Labour Government must exercise diplomatic bravery to serve our “highest national interest”.

We risk ridicule from “our friends” and allies, who operate in the old combative, wargame mindset and we may ruffle the feathers of trading partners, regarded as “enemies” by our friends. However, both still listen to reason and can be guided by honesty, goodwill and shared higher common values. NZ can reserve critical comment for particular policy behaviours, not condemn governments or countries as a whole.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern states: “We do have an independent foreign policy, we do need to raise concerns where we see them and it’s absolutely the right of China to then respond to that.”

The NZ Government can be kind but firm on human rights with China, and equally principled with the US on our peacemaking, defence and foreign policy.

Laurie Ross, NZ Nuclear Free Peacemaking, Glen Eden.

Australian offence

A great cartoon ( NZ Herald, December 2) by Guy Body. Australian politicians show more concern for China’s cartoon of an Australian soldier holding a bayonet to a child’s throat than they do for how the murdered Afghan children felt.

The same politicians also have no concern for the fate of their own courageous journalist, Julian Assange, imprisoned for years and now in a Covidinfected prison in Britain for making US war crimes known to the world. Is this “democracy” — suppressing war crimes, imprisoning journalists and whistleblowers?

Australia’s politicians are upset as their economy is suffering, with China withdrawing many of its economic benefits . It’s odd they think China should just accept the considerable insults and threats Australia dishes out liberally and hypocritically to China.

Australia falsely parading as guardian of justice in the world along with America, must put their houses in order, make meaningful reparations, stop the appalling, unjustified wars they are engaged in.

Kay Weir, Wellington.

Crash causes

There are no “killer” roads in New Zealand. Crashes and deaths happen because of bad driving, loss of concentration and inattention.

Some roads, especially in country areas can be a challenge but the roads themselves don’t kill. It is nonsense to say so. Younger drivers with boom boxes and musical earplugs can’t hear alerts nor trains. There are dangerous times on the roads from now on — beware.

Anne Glogowski, Paeroa.

Home affordability

Hamish Rutherford ( NZ Herald, December 2) questions where the Government is going with the bright-line test and whether three months after stating that there are no plans to change it, they may in fact be clearing the ground for a U-turn.

For me, when the predictions of economists were that the housing prices would slump and instead they soar, I would expect the Government to change its position.

In fact, they should take immediate action with not only the bright-line test but any other measures they can muster to make housing more affordable, especially for first home buyers.

This may mean new tax imposts on investors and the better off, but so what? How else are we going to address our child poverty and general societal inequities?

Bill Mathews, St Marys Bay.

Practical solutions

The current housing crisis is not unique. At the end of WWII, there was an acute housing shortage in England, mainly due to extensive bomb damage in the London area, and a huge influx of returning servicemen being de-mobbed, all looking for a job and somewhere to live.

The Attlee Labour Government passed the New Towns Act 1946, enabling Development Corporations to be established to develop several selfcontained New Towns (each for 60,000 people) in designated areas just outside London to relieve the housing pressure. As a young, recently qualified civil engineer, I worked for one of these organisations for five years in the 1950s, designing and constructing the roading and drainage infrastructure for these new housing estates. We used brick rubble from bombed-out buildings and crushed/ broken concrete from disused bomber airfield runways for the road base-course.

There are other, more practical ways of solving a housing crisis, if the Government is bold enough to take the initiative.

Jack Waters, Taupo¯.

Revenue assessment

Why all the fuss about paying back the wage subsidy? Applicants were required to sign a statement stating that they experienced or were likely to experience a 30-40 per cent drop in revenue.

To gauge the accuracy (or honesty) of this information, the IRD can assess each individual’s or business’ income at their annual balance date. If their turnover (and subsequent profit) was above what was declared, they would be ordered to repay the subsidy. Surely this is the commonsense approach?

Steve Hoeft, Pt Chevalier.

Respect due

The departure of Winston Peters from Parliament should not go unheralded. In the course of his long parliamentary career, he has been in government and in opposition.

He has performed with credit in a variety of ministerial positions and has been a worthy representative of us overseas. On the home front, he has been a quiet and sensible advocate for Ma¯ori, without being rabid about it.

While NZ First seems to have disappeared without trace, under his leadership it was a political force to be reckoned with. It is probably unlikely that we will see him back in Parliament again but he can retire with the knowledge that whether you agreed with his politics or not, he has earned our respect. Vale Winston

Peter Clapshaw, Remuera.

Word overkill

I was heartened by Rob Elliott ( NZ Herald, December 2) questioning our overuse of the word “slammed”. All too often we unthinkingly pounce on the latest buzzword, usually provided first by the advertising industry before reaching epidemic proportions.

John Norris, Whangamata¯.

Mahon’s legacy

There is a fundamental flaw in Chris Lonsdale’s letter ( NZ Herald, December 1) regarding the Erebus crash. It is the same flaw espoused by Air New Zealand and Civil Aviation at the Royal Commission.

How could the safest route to view the McMurdo Station and Scott Base be through the steam and particulate of an active volcano? The recent eruption of Whakaari/White island highlighted the stupidity of such a route.

The US Naval officer in charge of Air Traffic Control at Williams Field (attached to McMurdo Station) called it “palpably absurd” and told Peter Mahon that, had he had known it was the planned route, he would have vetoed it.

At the 40th Anniversary Commemoration Service, the Prime Minister and the Chair of Air NZ acknowledged Mahon was right and apologised for their organisations’ response to the crash. Aviation safety has advanced thanks to Peter Mahon.

That would not be the case if Ron Chippindale had had the last word.

Ian Hambly, Massey.

Helpful efficiency

I have been a frequent critic of Auckland organisations in recent times — Auckland Transport, Watercare, Ports of Auckland and the council itself.

Today I bit my tongue. My wife and I had reason to attend the council’s offices in the city on a dog registration matter. The young receptionist was courteous and, most importantly, efficient. What we had anticipated to be a long drawn-out affair was all over in 10 minutes. Well done Daniela.

Dennis Ross, Glendowie.