Quid pro quo
If we can't benefit from Australian franking credits, we should require Australian companies which have large operations here to list their New Zealand operations on the New Zealand stock market. This would allow New Zealand investors to benefit from their profiting in our market. The list includes Westpac Bank, ANZ bank, BNZ Bank, ASB Bank, Bunnings, Harvey Norman and Countdown.
Graham Astley, Epsom.
Brownlee on Israel
For Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee to describe New Zealand's position on UNSC 2334 as "premature" is another example of his rash behaviour and ignorance. He contradicted his predecessor, Murray McCully, who said, "The position we adopted today is totally in line with our long established policy on the Palestinian question".
With the vote 14:0 it was a notable success at the UN Security Council and not one a newly appointed Foreign Affairs minister should be wading into to reverse New Zealand's position. We would be supporting Israel in its relentless construction of settlement colonies on Palestinian land in contravention to serial UN resolutions and agreed international law. Brownlee's behaviour is deeply worrying for anyone seeking justice for Palestinians and ending the occupation and blockade of their lands.
Janfrie Wakim, Palestine Solidarity Network.
Crushed by mistake
In response to Mark Meredith's letter on Tuesday, we would like to apologise for the service he received. Our investigations show a mistake was made by one of our contractors during Mr Meredith's inorganic collection. The resident's re-usable items had been separated to be taken back to the Community Recycling Network warehouse, however one of the items was mistakenly sent to the compactor truck.
The team member responsible was immediately made aware of his mistake and immediately apologised to Mr Meredith and the council has also contacted him to apologise for the experience he had with the service.
The Auckland Council encourages residents to rehome their reusable items by selling or donating them before putting them out in their inorganic collection.
Parul Sood, Acting General Manager Waste Solutions, Auckland Council.,
Paying for Ateed
Since the council amalgamation, rates for businesses all across Auckland have been dropped back to the same as residential levels. These businesses have always been able to claim the 15 per cent GST component and 30 per cent company tax rate straight off the top while receiving much larger benefits than Joe Average resident ratepayer.
A recent case of who has benefited greatly is the Masters Games. Accommodation was at an absolute premium (Lions coming up). Hotels, motels and restaurants were chocker, when I looked, but are still being subsidised by little old mum in Manurewa and her $2500 rates bill.
Ian Wilson, Saint Johns.
Foreshore claims
I am amazed there has not been more comment about the plethora of public notices under the Marine and Coastal Area Act placed by a multiplicity of applicants on behalf of themselves and various unidentified iwi. The applications cover vast areas and in at least one case extend out to 200 miles offshore.
There seems to be a possibility of overlapping claims and now a reported claim by Maanu Paul for the New Zealand Maori Council purports to cover the whole of the New Zealand coast line out to 25 miles offshore. The claims potentially affect not only beach access but also fishing and mineral rights and should not proceed without the examination which properly organised opposition would provide. In the absence of notices of support or opposition the applications could proceed and be granted by default.
The claims are all made through the High Court and allow 20 working days to file notices of support or objection. As there are reportedly in excess of 150 claims, filing of such notices within the time limits is a logistical exercise beyond most people's resources. I doubt this last minute flood of applications was foreseen when the legislation was passed. Urgent Government action is needed to ensure that objection rights are not lost.
Peter Clapshaw, Parnell.
Peters' apologies
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says New Zealand should apologise to Australia for treating it as a "bolthole" allowing immigration through the back door. If he feels so strongly about it then by all means he should make a personal apology. And while he is at it he can apologise for his disgraceful racist outburst at two Herald reporters over immigration facts that were not to his liking and also to the families of Pike River miners for politicising their deaths purely to maintain a media presence.
Pat Taylor, Bethlehem.
Onus of proof
Labour MP Poto Williams is calling for a change in the law whereby persons accused of rape must prove their innocence rather than the prosecution prove their guilt. Imagine trying to prove something didn't happen. Perhaps we should bring it in for all offending. I'm sure Poto Williams would be happy for a member of her family to be charged wrongly then have to spend a fortune paying for a defence and clearing of a name that mud will already be stuck to.
Adrian Wilson, Northcote.
Masters Games
I wondered how long it would be before "The St Heliers Whingeing Society" would raise its head. A small group of people mildly inconvenienced for a few days and it's the end of their self-centred world. Perhaps they could have gone down and enjoyed the world-class event.
Geoff Leckie, Flatbush.
Blocked merger
Yesterday's editorial may initially appear as a self-defence article but good on you for showing up the Commerce Commission's double standards by allowing large overseas media parasites to avoid paying taxes here while you have paid your taxes for decades. Maybe the Commerce Commission is not interested in keeping our democratic values. Does the commission not see the big picture? Why else would they oppose it?
Rene Blezer, Taupo.
Damage done
Hillary Clinton is right to blame the FBI's artless intervention for contributing to her loss, but ignores the amplifying effect of early voting. There were 47 million votes (37 per cent) cast before election day, many of them while she was under the cloud of the FBI announcement that it was investigating the emails of a Clinton aide's estranged husband. These early votes probably made the difference in several critical states between the result predicted by the polls and the narrow Trump win.
Graeme Easte, Mount Albert.
List situation
Correspondent Bruce Elliott is outraged at the number of people on party lists as am I. Willy Jackson does not deserve to be singled out as he is but one of the 50. David Carter, the Speaker of the House, the highest ranked position after the Governor General and the Prime Minister, has been a List MP since 1999. MMP is a good system, but lists should be scrapped.
Sharon Marks, Te Aroha.
Provocative column
On behalf of the half million or so "pale" males over 50 who seemingly do not have the right to have an opinion that differs from Ms Stewart, I want to apologise for our age, ethnicity and gender. I am so sorry for being born, and for not seeing the evils of our society as clearly as she does. And, by the way, how did the racist, sexist, ageist rant from her this week make it past the editor's rubbish bin?
Mark McCluskey, Red Beach.
