TO THE POINT

Bike helmet proponents cling to anecdotal reports of helmets doing good and ignore evidence that helmets have an overall negative public health benefit. People are less healthy because helmet laws deter them from biking and create a false sense of security. There is a good case for compulsory helmets – to be worn by elderly pedestrians, who are at far greater risk of head injuries. NEILL GORDON, Napier

Seems to me the increase in global dairy output has been predicted for a number of years and has arrived with a bang. Problem is that neither Fonterra or anyone else anticipated just how big an effect it would have on prices. Fonterra was just as blind as Solid Energy in not seeing the forthcoming plunge in demand for their respective commodities. GRAHAM DICK, Masterton

It is great that Justice Minster Amy Adams is looking at law changes that will hopefully reduce the incidence of family violence. However, the impact of the changes to the law, should they be made, will be minimised if the Government does not simultaneously address the ubiquitous culture of heavy drinking and the high level of people living in poverty in this country. TIGHE INSTONE, Tangimoana

The Health and Safety Reform Bill, in its current form, excludes businesses employing fewer than 20 people from its obligations. This group comprises 30 per cent of the New Zealand workforce; are these workers less important than those who work for larger companies? ANNE LEE, Crofton Downs

John Key says: ‘‘Show me a single Canadian on the planet who would go back to their old flag..’’ Well Mr Key, I am a Canadian and would go back to the ‘old flag’ – in a heartbeat. DAVID BUCK, Maoribank