Letters to the editor: Where is the passion for saving lives on SH2?

A reader says police could take effective, temporary steps to improve safety on State Highway 2. Photo / File

SH2 solutions

Where is the passion to save lives on State Highway 2? Doesn't anybody care? After so many letters, publicity, and outspoken appeal, nothing has been dealt with by any agency
or authority that I'm aware of to address the carnage on SH2 - how pathetic! While we all wait for a response, police could take effective, temporary steps to help. With some imagination, they, with other agencies, could surely establish a 75km/h limit on SH2, Tauranga to Katikati. No exceptions, no tolerance. $500 instant fine for any driver misdemeanour of a dangerous nature likely to cause an accident. $1000 for second offence. Third offence: 12 months' loss of licence. As many speed cameras as can be afforded, for known areas with a crash history. Special attention to tailgaters - possibly our most dangerous drivers. Fix the obvious potholes and broken road edges, sweep away the loose gravel. A 75km/h speed limit will save lives and dramatically reduce injuries, but only if drivers show greater care and patience. Let's donate our extra 10 minutes of travel time to saving a life on SH2.
Russell McKenzie
Papamoa

Identify issues early

In regards to the Bella Vista issues: Shame on council, isn't this why there are inspections done at various stages of the build to eliminate these sorts of issues? If the issues had been identified earlier in the build then the homeowners wouldn't be in this situation. Just shows council clipping the ticket! I feel for those homeowners
Liz Cooper
Katikati

Treaty confusion

What did Queen Victoria promise New Zealand? There is confusion about the Treaty, and what Queen Victoria promised, and what therefore was undertaken on her behalf by Governor Hobson all those years ago. She gave Maori equal rights with British subjects. She did not invite them into a partnership, why would she, as at the time Britain was a global power. However, giving equal rights is something extraordinarily precious then, as it is today. We can vote; we men and women are free to stand for election. Being the only woman on the Western Bay of Plenty District Council my protection is that I am equal to any man around the table, as they are to me. Why then separate Maori into one Maori ward, when they have the chance to stand in one of our three wards, and they can vote for example for four council candidates in the Kaimai Ward, which I represent. It is fundamental for a healthy democracy that we see ourselves as New Zealanders, and that we stand together, work together, to make this a better place. All these side issues are just confusing New Zealanders.
Cr Margaret Murray-Benge, Kaimai Ward councillor
Western Bay

Easter prayers

I wonder how Trevor Mallard and his Labour cohorts are going to celebrate Easter having deleted Jesus Christ from the Parliamentary prayer? Do they believe that Jesus Christ was executed by his own people – the Jews – per the Roman occupiers, and as he predicted he came back to life two days later? The Jewish leaders didn't recognise his claim to be God's son. Do you other readers believe that happened? There is plenty of evidence, from sources other than the Bible, that this event occurred. We are fortunate in this country that whatever Trevor and anyone else believes, they have the freedom to do so. Not like a Christian lady, Asia Bibi, who has been on death row in Pakistan having been condemned to death under Pakistan's blasphemy laws in 2010. I don't know anything about her alleged blasphemy, but I do know in some Muslim courts the witness evidence of a Muslim takes priority over that of a Christian or any other non-Muslim. Christians are taught not to retaliate, God will do the punishing. A concept that many of us find very difficult. There is a real world out there which most of us choose to ignore, and much of it is not very nice.
Bill Capamagian
Tauranga