The corporatisation of healthcare seems to lead to longer times to see a doctor and an increase in two-level care. I have no answers, but I hope Morrah continues his investigations.
Garry Bond, Hastings.
Hanson and Peters
In Australia, Pauline Hanson seems to be marching towards power. Some very rich people have promised her One Nation Party large sums of money to unseat the Labor Government.
Hanson has been quoted as saying, when asked about Winston Peters, “I’d like to meet the great man.” They are very much against Asian immigration. Paul Hogan, aka Crocodile Dundee, has been quoted comparing her to US President Trump. The very prospect of Hanson and Peters meeting and exchanging their thoughts on race frightens me.
We all expect politicians during an election to rattle the cages. But when the election is over, we expect them to get on with the job and improve life for all of us.
We do not need leaders with massive chips on their shoulders. If Peters is given too much power, he will follow in the crazy footsteps of Trump.Turmoil and shouting will be the order of the day.
Johann Nordberg, Paeroa.
Scooters, e-bikes ‘disaster’
The next social and physical disaster is upon us: Young hooligans on electric motor bikes and scooters.
It staggers me how they can afford these electric bikes; they aren’t cheap.
Every day you can see the young hoons operating with impunity as they zoom through the traffic up on the footpaths at speed, terrifying pedestrians. They always run in packs, block the roads and impede traffic.
Heaven forbid a motorist runs into one.
They are hard to track down as they don’t have to be registered and don’t require a driver’s licence.
They maintain their anonymity by wearing helmets, face scarves and sunglasses.
This is just another problem for our overworked police to try and deal with. The Government seems in no hurry to implement rules to try and contain them.
Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki.
Paul Henry’s decorum
Bernard Walker’s letter “Paul Henry adds to the entertainment of politics” (July 17) misses one vital point. Te Pāti Māori and Greens MPs who cause so much disruption in the House, and generate headlines not worthy of a political party, do not seem to understand the meaning of decorum. Whereas, although Paul Henry can act the clown at times, he understands good taste, and would maintain a level of decorum.
Lorraine Kidd, Warkworth
Cricket oval for Avondale
Murray Hunter (HOS, July 12) has hit the nail on the head. But, as well as another stadium, Auckland needs a real cricket oval. There is room on the racecourse for a full cricket oval with bags of space left for another full sports ground and stadiums.
The racecourse would swallow both the Hagley Oval and Eden Park with space left for parking and even the Avondale markets. Let’s not lose this valuable open space to housing or commerce.
Robert Densem, New Lynn.
Henry II, Act 2, scene 2
What I understand from reading Paul Henry’s recent opinion piece (July 16, “I don’t need a job, so why am I standing for Parliament?”), is that he has joined the ACT party to ensure the continuation of overt crony capitalism under the current Government triumvirate.
Martin Adlington, Browns Bay.