Letters: National can’t allow the tail to wag the dog if it forms another coalition Government
National can’t let tail wag the dog
Having been thoroughly chastised by the polls, the National Party must now decide how to win the New Zealand public’s trust in a very volatile world and create a plausible vision for the future.
The time is past when they can blame Labour for all the country’s woes, and their poor poll numbers guarantee another coalition government. Under MMP, compromises are part of the political landscape, but the concessions that were made as part of the coalition agreement in 2023 seemed, at times, to overshadow any National Party initiatives, particularly in relation to the Treaty of Watangi. If the National Party can form the next Government, it will need to ensure the tail doesn’t wag the dog and they stay true to their principles.
Mary Hearn, Glendowie.
Danger of attacks
It is unfortunate that New Zealand appears to be following the international trend of attacking anyone who disagrees with your opinion. It is even more concerning that the deputy leader of a coalition Government partner is one of two individuals named by Sir Sam Neill when he talks of the backlash he has faced over his opposition to a proposed large-scale goldmine in Central Otago (April 23).
In a democratic New Zealand, it is vital that every voice is heard and considered in a civil manner and not dismissed with personal attacks. This is especially the case when the person perceived as perpetrating the attack is an elected member of Parliament and a member of Cabinet.
Eligible voters will have a chance to use their vote to influence the future direction that the country takes as we consider actions that potentially affect everyone. We can only hope that the majority of voters in November’s election decide to carry on New Zealand’s proud tradition of treating people civilly and fairly, even when we do not agree with them, by electing like-minded candidates.
Dunstan Sheldon, Hamilton.
Timid on tax
I’m disappointed with the timid pronouncements Labour is making about reform of the tax system. It seems to believe the hype coming from the right: everyone HATES paying tax. The truth is rather less simple.
I refuse to believe that most people accept the trend of rising inequality and failing public services is okay. I suspect that if more democratic systems, such as citizens‘ assemblies, were used to find out what people really value in life, another view would be revealed.
We don’t like the systematic degradation of our environment. We suffer on a daily basis from the underfunding of infrastructure. We all know about the harm being done by wholesale undermining of our public services, reducing their numbers and ignoring their expertise. We need to rebuild these fundamentals if we want a successful and harmonious society, where everyone can thrive.
As the economist Bernard Hickey pointed out recently, there is plenty of wealth in our country, it’s just concentrated in the assets of the wealthy, who comprise a tiny proportion of our population, but who exert a disproportionate influence over our so-called democratic Government.
If Labour doesn’t have the courage to reform our current tax system, we will be in for more of the same, or worse, for the foreseeable future.
Vivien Fergusson, Mt Eden.
Cost of transport
It seems that the Iran war is far from over, and the global fuel crisis is set to continue for some time yet. In my view, there are two things that the New Zealand Government could do to help ordinary Kiwi families as they struggle with the cost of living.
First, make all public transport ( buses, trains and ferries) half price or, better still, FREE. Second, cut the excise tax on diesel by half or scrap it altogether. This would cut costs for the truck and transport industry, which would have the flow-on effect of keeping grocery prices steady.
If Labour were to announce this as policy, I think it would guarantee them victory in the November election.
Glen Stanton, Mairangi Bay.
Death of protected gulls
I am dismayed to read recent reports of the poisoning of protected black-billed gulls in Te Anau this summer. The birds had to be euthanised and the Department of Conservation is trying to find out who is responsible.
The poison responsible, called “treated wheat” or alpha-chloralose, should be withdrawn from sale until the legislation around its sale has been reviewed, and with SAFE and the SPCA being a part of this review.
These tarāpuka, Aotearoa’s only endemic gulls, are endangered, and this poisoning could contribute to their extinction.
Emere McDonald, Grey Lynn.
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