Letters to the editor: Let the vets sit down for dawn service

The Anzac Day dawn service needs to recognise the needs of the veterans, says a reader. Photo / File

As a veteran who endured the dawn service, it's time to rethink the event, with no disrespect e hoa ma o Ngāti Tumatauenga.

Some of my veteran mates wanted to be there but couldn't face standing still for the hour-long service. It is just too painful. The official party all have seats.

The vets want to stand for the Last Post, the Ode and the Reveille, but in between need to rest.

The vets standing on parade suffered badly.

The other problem is the three speeches repeated what, in my opinion, are phrases we have all heard many times before.

But none mentioned why we still have wars and need to train and send our service persons into harm's way.

It is wonderful that so many youngsters were there but why were they not told what causes conflicts and wars?

No wonder so few know these days what fascism, totalitarianism, communism, socialism, capitalism and democracy mean. No wonder only about 42 per cent vote in our elections.

Lest we forget democracy, the best-known antidote to conflict and wars.

So please, tell the moko. And give the vets a chair. (Abridged)

Reynold Macpherson
Major (Retired), 3RNZIR/ 10 Para.

Banning US ships a mistake

Probably the biggest mistake made in modern times by successive New Zealand governments is the banning of US military (ships) in our waters if they have nuclear arms aboard (as all US military vessels have).

Now, with the aggressive stance taken by the Chinese government against Australia (News, April 29), New Zealand is the obvious stepping stone to Australia.

We need to push our government to invite the US to install naval bases on New Zealand soil as soon as possible. This is not just some fancy whim - it is fast approaching the time when the situation will become critical.

All Kiwis need to lobby their MPs now to act with all due haste to implement this.

Jim Adams
Rotorua

Weak defence links

To my shame, New Zealand has been very weak in our defence links with our Western Allies (basically Australia, USA, UK) for some 40 years.

Firstly, in the 1980s, David Lange mishandled his anti-nuclear stance. We could have been nuclear-free and still remained in Anzus.

Further being nuclear-weapon free is like declaring your street burglar free.

The bad guys ignore it.

The government of the day got rid of RNZAF's strike force in about 2000 and generally, we have run down our defence capability.

New Zealand has not pulled its weight for 40 years.

One day there will be a war and we will not only need our traditional allies but should be able to hold our head up and say we played our part in the period leading up to it.

To top it off, our defence force staff are effectively prison warders for MIQ facilities.

Fair enough to use them in their early stages of quarantine, but Corrections with an enhanced security industry should have taken over by now, and freed our soldiers, sailors and air personnel for future emergency roles plus, of course, their basic role in the front line.

Bill Capamagian
Tauranga

The Rotorua Daily Post welcomes letters from readers. Please note the following:

• Letters should not exceed 200 words.

• They should be opinion based on facts or current events.

• If possible, please email.

• No noms-de-plume.

• Letters will be published with names and suburb/city.

• Please include full name, address and contact details for our records only.

• Local letter writers given preference.

• Rejected letters are not normally acknowledged.

• Letters may be edited, abridged, or rejected at the Editor's discretion.

• The Editor's decision on publication is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

Email editor@dailypost.co.nz