Aussies lose sense of humour over duke

Have the Aussies lost their sense of humour? The furore over their government’s awarding of a knighthood to the Duke of Edinburgh (January 27) would indicate they have, sadly.

It seems the social media have chosen to overlook Prince Philip’s contribution to Australia over 62 years and are focusing on what they describe as his ‘social gaffes’.

The duke’s comments, which have so riled them have always seemed to me like an attempt to inject a little levity into what must be at times stultifying official protocol. Who can blame him? He trusted people to understand that no offence was ever intended. The comments were always tongue in cheek.

And for the most part, the humour was greatly appreciated.

As an example, the group of Australian aboriginal men to whom the question ‘Do you still throw spears at each other?’ was addressed certainly did not take offence. They all fell about laughing. MERRILYN LANDER

Broadmeadows assistance and on the other hand through increased rent.

So-called social housing is a crock. People don’t need to be managed by community agencies they just need access to affordable housing. Why then is this not the government’s agenda?

It is because there is money in poverty, big money.

This policy will see more redistribution of wealth to the wealthy from tax revenue in the guise of helping cash-strapped New Zealanders, who need social housing with strings attached like a hole in the head.

Paula Bennett tells us that ‘‘in principle’’ the houses the Government sells cannot be sold to private developers but there are more ways of achieving the same end. TERESA HOMAN

Upper Hutt