Letters: Healthy habits, free speech and Auckland Transport

A childhood of homemade food leaves a legacy of health. Photo / 123RF

I agree with Kerre McIvor (Up to parents to teach kids good habits, May 26). In Kerre's very sad illustration, it appears that the woman in question's parents probably smoked and gave her fizzy drinks to "calm" her.

When I was a child, all cakes we ate came from our kitchen oven, bread involved a weekly drive to the bakers to fill the car with warm, wonderful smelling loaves, and chocolate was essentially banned as we were under the mis-apprehension that it aggravated asthma.

Today, at 45, I have never had a filling, we never have soft drinks in our house and I still make most of my own food, despite my wife and I working around 70 hours per week each. I know I have the correct role models in my grandmother and, her daughter, my mother.

Andrew Parsons, Orakei

Free speech nonsense

The Herald on Sunday quotes Steve Hansen as saying "People can have their own beliefs, and there is nothing wrong with that, as long as it's not damaging the beliefs of the team or the organisation that you work for", and awards him a high five for this "sensible" approach to the Folau affair (May 19).

But this is nonsense, not sense. What Hansen is in effect saying is that you can only express an opinion that your employer approves of, even if it's on a public issue that, as in this case, has nothing specifically to do with them. In other words, have the right to free speech by all means, just don't dare exercise it.

Terry Coggan, Mt Wellington

Blame National for AT

It was interesting to read the opinion piece in the Herald by MP for Hunua, Andrew Bayly, criticising Auckland Transport (May 29). Most of his points are completely correct and I agree, AT is arrogant and out of control. However, Bayly and his electorate need reminding it was the National Party who created the beast of Auckland Transport with support from Act.

I suggest Bayly writes a piece on the failures of his National Government for allowing Auckland Council and Auckland Transport to be created against the strong protest of most Aucklanders and those living in his Hunua electorate.

Jon Reeves, Mangere East

Rich deserve what they pay for

The writer of the editorial on defibrillators (Poor lose out, May 26) notes that these lifesaving devices should be available in all areas, but in reality more are available in richer areas.

If we are talking about supply through the health system I totally agree, but it seems that the main concern is that rich areas may have more defibrillators due to fundraising or donations in their community.

Does the writer favour the socialist solution that if everybody can't have one the nobody should have one? Winston Churchill defined the benefits of socialism as the equal sharing of misery.

Richard Prince, Tauranga

US and gun insanity

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she doesn't understand why the United States is unable to change its gun laws. Me neither. And I suspect neither do an overwhelming number of Americans and other clear-thinking people around the world. So given US gun culture, the latest massacre in Virginia Beach with 12 dead and six taken to hospital comes as no real surprise. It's sad that America has not been able to deal with its gun insanity.

Rajend Naidu, Sydney

Past mistakes cost billions

If decimating our health services took 30 years of science teacher inadequacy, it might take 30 years after doubling science teacher salaries for health services to be restored. In 1972, teacher salaries were double what they are now in relative terms.

The Budget's $1.2 billion for mental health needs is because inadequate education is no longer preparing people for life. The foundation of successful society is highly qualified teachers.

Yeah, nah, give billions to the mental services at the bottom of the cliff, that oughta do it.

Jim Carlyle, Te Atatu Peninsula