Argument to merge doesn’t stack up

I was totally underwhelmed by the status and arguments of those recommending in The Dominion Post (December 19) amalgamation of the Wellington regional local authorities.

No-one has yet explained how central control from Wellington is going to benefit us in Kapiti, or elsewhere – certainly nothing worth sacrificing our independence for.

Indeed, the Wellington brand could be toxic for Kapiti whose reputation for a great climate is perhaps its greatest asset, on which our booming retirement industry is based.

This could be jeopardised by closer association with Wellington and its reputation for dodgy weather. While reasonable arguments can be made for some regional amalgamations, for example the uniting of the Hutt cities, possibly Porirua joining with Wellington, it seems downright crazy that regions separated by major geographical features and extensive farmlands like Wairarapa and Kapiti could ever be considered part of a future Wellington City.

The continued co-ordination of infrastructure such as public transport and river control through a regional council is all that is necessary or desirable.

Let’s not be naive, this wouldn’t be an amalgamation; it would be a takeover by Wellington, which has everything to gain, and the rest of us have everything to lose. MURRAY EGGERS

Paraparaumu report, December 18).

Certainly the Irish have been the butt of humour for decades. I wonder what made the officer think Waters was an Irishman anyway, unless he is an excellent mimic. The whole story will certainly have gone viral. Many people will know that the jokes made against the Irish are exactly the same as those made against the Hungarians in America. Having been associated with many British comedians, they will tell you that there are in fact only seven jokes, others are variations. The best Irish jokes are those told by the Irish. To apologise can be admirable, but it is often a sign of weakness. Allow me to contribute a real life Irish incident that I experienced. I stayed at a hotel outside Belfast and on one occasion asked the hall porter what possessed the authorities to build Aldergrove Airport so far out from the city.

His answer was that the airport was built where it was because that’s where the planes landed. How’s that for logic? LESLIE AUSTIN

Featherston