Like us, they objected to the Government borrowing money at one rate of interest, only to set up a bureaucracy charged with on-lending for a higher rate.
As we predicted in our submission, some funds were invested unethically e.g. in tobacco - ironic considering Labour's anti-smoking campaign.
Just as disturbing is the fact that we Kiwis pay out the equivalent of the $30 billion now in the fund every three to four years in servicing Treasury bonds plus state-owned enterprise and local government debt. So I support Mr English not putting more money into the fund.
Mr Borrows mentions he has not actually met Mr Orr. I have - well, sort of - on a pedestrian crossing between the Beehive and the Reserve Bank.
I gave Mr Orr a nod of recognition as we passed in opposite directions, receiving a bright smile in return.
To think that his office is in the Reserve Bank building where there are systems available to fund the public sector interest-free, including state superannuation.
Mr Orr is a clever man - we could surely find a more productive way to employ his talents. A quarter of that million would still be a very generous salary.
HEATHER MARION SMITH, Gisborne
US nightmare
It is not correct for Jay Kuten to describe what he calls "America" as great.
Yankeeland, with its nightmare form of capitalism and brainwashed population, is greatly dangerous. It has bases all over the world.
It interferes and intervenes in the sovereign affairs of other nations.
Trump is a caricature of what already is the biggest bully in the playground, and has been for many decades.
It is not correct to describe Chavez as a tinpot despot, either. He was elected by the people of Venezuela and at one point rescued by them from takeover by the wealthy elite, supported of course by the mighty Yankeeland.
The takeover effort continues, but he was an inspiration to the people of South America, who want to be free of Yankee interference.
ROD SACH, Castlecliff
Flood stopbanks
Re: The story in the Chronicle (February 18) - "12 days to prepare for flood":
My first reaction was "here we go again" - Horizons is giving short notice meeting times, which was done frequently in the past.
I spent eight years fighting for the ratepayers of this city to have their views placed before the Horizons Regional Council.
The highlight was when Horizons completed its own referendum and 67 per cent of our ratepayers said "No" to stopbanks.
What people who participated in that referendum didn't count on was the key people within Horizons and the district council who set about to try and circumvent the wishes of the people of this city.
It is pleasing that five of these people (one an employee of Horizons, one of the district council and three elected members) are no longer at either Horizons or the district council.
But we still have one of them flapping about behind the scenes trying to get 100-year flood protection stopbanks along Anzac Parade - some people just can't give into the wishes of the majority of ratepayers.
Time now for this city's ratepayers to make their views known. Do nothing and face massive rate increases that will not stop flooding.
(Abridged)
BOB WALKER, Retired Horizons Regional Councillor
Take GST off fruit
Having returned from a wonderful holiday in Sydney and after an eight-year gap in visits, I was still very impressed by that city.
The ease in which one can travel around, either walking or using transport such as ferries, light rail and buses was a very pleasant experience.
We also noted the cheapness (compared to New Zealand) of basic food items - milk ($1 per litre), butter (approx $2 for 500gm) and bread. Chocolates and fizzy and juice drinks more expensive (much to my grandchildren's disgust and my delight).
I cannot understand why our Government does not follow suit, as for our poorer citizens they would benefit by having a better diet, hopefully saving them from obesity and all its associated health problems and costs to the country.
Surely it is not too difficult to remove GST on fruit, veges and basic food items - it certainly makes sense to me.
Perhaps being an election year, the Government will give some serious thought to this.
FIONA DONNE, Aramoho
Drink-driving
Dan Carter and Mike Bush are human and they did get caught.
You may have been lucky not to get caught - so get off their backs.
GARY STEWART, Foxton Beach
