TO THE POINT
Brexit effect, Trump effect, Jacinda effect. Voting requires a bit of serious thought, surely. After taking a look at voting elsewhere in the world, methinks the affects of effects might be a good start.
VAL ALDRIDGE, Tawa
Watching with interest the number of cafes getting on the bandwagon of charging male customers more for their coffees, than females so as to highlight pay inequity, they have it all wrong. Surely, they should be charging all male customers the advertised price and giving their female customers a discount off of that charge. After all, it’s business owners who choose to pay their female staff less and not the average male punter coming in for a cup of Joe. KENT BOWMAN, Ascot Park
Pete Jenkins asks why Wellington City Council should encourage ‘‘dangerous’’ cycling (Letters, August 21). Motorbikes, bicycles and cars are all ‘‘safe’’ to varying degrees. ACC figures show that the risk of cycling is about the same as DIY house repairs. However, only cycling confers health benefits through exercise, and causes no significant carbon emissions, which is why it should be encouraged. ALASTAIR SMITH, Aro Valley
The antics and comments of political aspirants who want to remain or join the increasing circus of New Zealand’s Parliament is unbelievable. It’s hard to take politics seriously anymore and only a sense of responsibility, albeit fading, by those of us who care enough about the country, enables us to hang in there. But going off the grid is becoming very tempting, even for the dedicated.
JANET WEIR, Melrose So Peter Dunne is quitting Parliament. That’s a great shame – it has deprived me and many others of the pleasure of seeing him get properly voted out in the upcoming election.
ROD SHAW, Te Horo
I have been quite surprised to hear the National Party accusing the Labour Party of ‘‘playing politics’’. This alarms me as I am now concerned that no-one has had the heart to tell National that they are, in fact, all political parties. I do hope they’re aware there is an election soon. REX NAIRN, Newtown
On being told of UnitedFuture MP Peter Dunne’s decision to resign from Parliament, his political adversaries thanked him for his long service and wished him well. But, NZ First leader Winston Peters responded with: ‘‘I’m not interested in him, never have been.’’ One wonders what Winston’s adversaries might say when he finally peters out. GARRY WHINCOP, Napier
Just spare a thought for the Wallabies on Saturday night. Thanks to Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin having a roof on it, the Wallabies will not even be able to look to the heavens for any redemption. And it’s not as if any of their guardian angels will get pass security either. CRISPIN WALTERS, Queensland
When American President Donald Trump announced that United States would renew its war effort in Afghanistan, he asserted that ‘‘America always wins’’. Does this mean that Fall of Saigon in 1975, which concluded the 15-year war in Vietnam, was just ‘‘fake news’’?
PETER GRAHAM, Island Bay