Back Winston and ban the sale of fireworks
Back in the 1970s we had the ‘‘fireworks lady’’, Beverley Pentland who tried vainly to stop the sale of fireworks.
Bravo Winston Peters for raising the matter again. Perhaps this time something will be done about private sales of fireworks. Some major stores have already stopped selling them.
I am not opposed to fireworks for public displays, just putting them in the hands of anyone, responsible or not. Matariki would be a good day to celebrate with fireworks - and it’s dark earlier.
Guy Fawkes day celebrates an English man who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in England around 400 years ago. A great man?
ACC spends a lot of money each year on firework-related injuries: let’s keep that money for those who really need it.
And the animals have no say: this is for them.
Let’s get behind Winston, who is brave enough to do this.
Janice McPherson
Oamaru
A reasonable question
Can someone please explain why legal firearms owners have to renew their firearms licence every 10 years, and have to prove ‘‘they are fit and proper’', when 50 people in Dunedin (ODT 5.11.25) can ‘‘shoot’' each other with fireworks and then attack the police and fire engines, and get away with it?
Neville McLay
Opoho
Freedom of opinion
Re Greg Glendening's latest rant, this time on Dunedin city councillor Mickey Treadwell's wearing of the keffiyeh Palestinian scarf.
Everyone is allowed to have their opinion, it's a free world. One man's idea of a terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.
If he had worn a Scottish tartan scarf would that have upset the British. After all they fought amongst themselves for hundreds of years.
Furthermore, you can't compare our Jewish Dunedinites, the likes of Hallenstein, Sir Julius Vogel, councillor Mark Cohen and all the other Jewish people who settled here in Dunedin to the Zionist unlawful occupiers of Palestine.
The Zionists are following a culture of death and destruction against their neighbours and anyone else who won't surrender and give up their land and what's on it or in it. They are an embarrassment to all Jews, especially those who suffered in World War 2 during the Holocaust.
G. Palmer
West Harbour
Board time
There is a solution to students wanting more say in council affairs. Join the rest of the Dunedin residents in being part of a community board - if you can.
In Christchurch, everybody votes for a community board, central city residents included.
Their governance statement reads: ‘‘Community boards enable individuals and communities to have a voice in local decisions affecting them’’.
Strangely, central Dunedin is designated as the only area outside community board in our city, yet we hold over 70% of Dunedin's population.
Time for change in our local governance?
Liz Angelo-Roxborough
City Rise
No more unseen officials, more back to basics
Hamish Walker (Opinion ODT 6.11.25) deserves 10 out of 10 for his critique on the debacle going on with rugby now.
The recent All Black v Ireland match in Chicago was meant to showcase rugby to entice Americans away from their traditional sports but it was one of the worst, and least entertaining matches I’ve seen for many years. Totally confusing for most present.
Officials viewed the “offence” against Beauden Barrett countless times to issue a yellow card which, after I don’t doubt, many more viewings it was upgraded to a red. They all got it wrong because an independent review team overturned that decision.
Hamish suggested that the game go back to basics and get rid of unseen officials who add nothing to the flow of what used to be an entertaining spectacle for players and viewers.
As an ex-player I couldn’t agree more.
Bob Farrell
Arrowtown
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