Nuclear nullification
The threat of annihilation from nuclear war has been an abiding curse now for nearly three generations. Miraculously, next week, June 21-23, is the first meeting of the parties of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
This event is a major step in eliminating this threat
from this earth. This Treaty also represents a major achievement for New Zealand in its leadership role in negotiating this treaty in 2017, along with 122 other nations.
This treaty was pursued against the interests of nearly all our traditional partners: the so-called "civilised" or developed world. These countries had adopted, and still hold to, the abominable belief that their security depended on their ability to destroy civilisation, as well as the rest of the world. New Zealand's light of independence shone brightly at that moment.
For these reasons it is vital that our public is well informed of the progress of this treaty as it seeks the universal prohibition of nuclear weapons. It is especially important to young people so they can look forward to a world without the curse of this threat of annihilation.
Gray Southon, Tauranga.
No winners
I am unsure if Allen Pukepuke (NZ Herald, June 15) is annoyed at the Government's stance regarding funerals attendance or the loss of business due to their decisions.
I am absolutely sure that if all and sundry, Māori included, were allowed to attend funerals at will, there would have been many more deaths than we have had.
That would have given Allen Pukepuke more business - and another reason to blame the Government for not restricting funerals and allowing all of those extra deaths.
The Government can't win either way with this one
J McCormick, Gisborne.
Broadcast lesson
Back in the day, Willie Jackson was a shock jock on Radio Live and was taken off the air because of the way in which he ridiculed a victim who was raped by the so-called "Roast Busters".
Now he is in a position of power in the Government, and able to make changes; let's hope the leopard has changed his spots.
Glennys Adams, Oneroa.
Transaction texts
Hardly a day goes without we read about someone being scammed when an unauthorised person gets access to their bank or credit card account.
When I had an account with a South African Bank (First National Bank) and a credit card linked to that account, the bank sent me an automated text message in real-time every time a transaction was recorded on my account. I would still be waiting for a receipt from a vendor when my cellphone would beep and the text message would be there, with details of the transaction, including the vendor's name and the amount debited from my account.
Why aren't New Zealand banks implementing a similar system? Surely South African banks are no cleverer than ours. Or is it the case that they simply care more for their customers?
If a person receives a text message the first time their account is hacked and an unauthorised transaction debited to their account, they would be spared a good deal of grief and the bank would suffer a smaller loss.
A little bit of vigilance can spare a great deal of sorrow.
C G Marnewick, Bucklands Beach.
Please hold
I am sure I am not alone in being frustrated by the impenetrable barriers corporates put up between themselves and their customers. Service providers, utilities, banks, and large retail companies are all the same.
The message is powerful: we don't want to talk to you, and hope you get lost in our Byzantine website with blind alleys instead of open doors - use Facebook or WhatsApp.
One approaches live chat with low expectations. Occasionally it is adequate, often less so, and one has no idea if the chatbot is a computer or a person.
Finding a telephone number on a website is difficult enough. If you do manage to make the call, the first message is about monitoring for staff training. Who believes that? The subtext is about speaking civilly to a staff member, in the event you finally get through. Normally, polite individuals are tested by lengthy waits on the telephone, all the while being reminded that the corporate values their call, and staff are experiencing unexpected demand.
How about hiring more staff? How to bring about change to this entrenched, self-serving structure? Are you listening out there, corporate New Zealand?
Margaret Malan, Greenlane.
