Your view: Readers write to the editor

Disappointing doctorate

I was aghast at the headline in the Chronicle of John Key receiving an honorary doctorate.

Perhaps he could have funnelled his multimillion-dollar "flag fund" into post-graduate research in New Zealand universities so that students don't have to compromise their living standards and make financial sacrifices to earn a qualification they have worked hard to attain.

Or perhaps an advertising campaign to attract overseas investment into NZ's tertiary institutions. Where is his thesis?

I would love the opportunity to undertake post-graduate study myself, except my current work and family arrangements are not compatible with the extra time and dedication required for this distinguished reward.

Now he's no longer running the country, he might have the time for study himself.

I hope other New Zealanders put their opinions forward as to who really deserves these honours - people that have benefited their communities and country rather than creating situations that see families living in cars or not being to afford their own house.

Perhaps Mr Key could accommodate them with the cost saving from having his doctorate awarded "gratis".

SARAH HIRD, Whanganui

Disgusting attack

I have no idea where your correspondent Frank Greenall was born, but his frenzied attack (Chronicle, August 3) in the manner of - to quote Sybil Fawlty - "spitting venom like some benzedrined puff-adder" upon Britain causes me to have no wish to know or to ever encounter him.

I sincerely hope he was not born a Briton or New Zealander.

I am disgusted at his reference to the New Zealand and British government's memorial to the more than 16,000 New Zealanders and 700,00 British soldiers killed during World War I as "some bizarre memorial down Wellington way ... "

Not content with that derisory insult, he returns towards the end of venting his spleen with more venom and names the memorial as " ... something to do with all the cannon fodder we sent over for the War To end All Wars ... ".

He finally rounds out his insults to soldiers who died with a dismissive "Pity it didn't pan out".

A totally disgusting attack on the memory of British and New Zealand soldiers who died during World War I and unworthy of publication in your paper.

VERNON BALLANCE, Westmere

Not my beliefs

Steve Baron defined a zealot as one who just believes that his arguments are based on truth and reason, but really just wants to force his belief system on each of us (Chronicle; August 8).

Astute self-awareness, Steve.

STEPHEN PALMER, Bastia Hill

Question of form

Lydia Ko struggles and is on her 10th caddie which is not helping her.

Her old coach Guy Wilson - whom she split with in December of 2013 - needs to return and Israel Dagg should be her caddie, then watch a sharp return to form.

GARY STEWART, Foxton Beach