Letter of the week: Brett Hewson, Parnell
What a pity that in 2022, we still have authoritarian tyrants like Vladimir Putin willing to ignore a nation's sovereignty and jeopardise world peace in the pursuit of self-serving goals.
The fact that Ukraine has sought the comfort of a Nato alliance has proved to
be a very real need, albeit somewhat late.
Let's hope that, based on all that we have learned from conflict and its causes in the 19th and 20th centuries, a peaceful solution can be found.
As Churchill said: "History with its flickering lamp, stumbles along."
Flock mentality
It is quite demeaning to see the word "compliant" used so often to describe New Zealanders' behaviour throughout the Covid crisis. John Roughan (Weekend Herald, February 19) is a perfect example of belittling our ability to think for ourselves when we reacted to a deathly situation with calmness, practicality, and common sense. It is not "a meek surrender" as he states.
We are a well-educated country. We have very high literacy skills compared to other countries and we encourage argument and guidance. We read, interpret, listen and comprehend. This is the skill used by the masses over the past two years that gave them the confidence to follow what needed to be done. We were not sheep.
Let's leave the ambiguity and emotive overuse of the word compliant and try instead more honest terms like educated, erudite, informed and civilised. Because that is what has saved us so far and that is what we need to continue using when faced with future challenges. That is, of course, if we want to survive.
Emma Mackintosh, Birkenhead.
Getting on with it
John Roughan (Weekend Herald, February 19) is right yet again. The Government's response to the democratic dissent is dismal.
The Prime Minister should call in the leaders for a dialogue on mandates and the way forward. There is a good argument for treating this virus like the flu; get vaccinated and get on with life, work, freedom of movement for everyone - and save the emotions, economy, and enterprise.
David De Lacey, Newmarket.
Admission averse
Sir Russell Coutts' and Steven Joyce's (Weekend Herald, February 19) opinions on protest and discontent and the depth of reasoning behind the large numbers of New Zealanders from a multitude of sectors including businesses, health services, schools, and sports has resulted in a large chunk of the population being highly disillusioned with the Labour Government performance.
It all has a simple origin – Ardern, Robertson, and Mallard hate to be wrong and refuse to listen to others, or accept help.
Gary Carter, Gulf Harbour.
Untapped funds
A merit of this Three Waters scheme, according to its proponents, is that the body in charge will have the borrowing power of the Government and thus borrow for the infrastructure needed more cheaply by virtue of their high credit rating.
Here's an idea - the Government borrows the money and on-lends it to the local authorities at the same interest rate. With appropriate safeguards to see the money is properly spent. The Treasury is good at that. Probably better than the Scottish Water Authority.
I offer this idea without the usual consultancy fee, normally obligatory for all advice to the Government.
John Billing, New Plymouth.
