Last month I raised the question of the proposed housed dairy cows in the MacKenzie basin and whether or not it was inhumane. Firstly, if the government is going to impose a land tax and any more taxes for farmers to pay, you are going to see more factory farming, or farmers close shop.

Also, what do you really think tarnishes New Zealand’s image more, housed dairy cows or a high crime rate and Hone Harawira?

I think our government needs to take a look at what the farming industry does for this country and perhaps focus on other negative areas such as an MP’s behaviour, the negative influence of his statements and many of our fellow Kiwis who need locking up – or severe attitude adjustments.

I recently took a friend sightseeing, only to have to apologise many times for having ignorant, intimidating New Zealanders who push, shove, spit on the sidewalk and yell abuse across the street at each other.

Also, over the Christmas break a friend was visiting a northern bay of New Zealand only to be told to “F*&% off whitey” or they were going to do unmentionable things to his wife and daughter.

Hmmm . . . and some cows indoors are bad for our tourism industry? Think again and look at the bigger picture. I’m not absolutely for or against the housed herds, but I am against extreme double standards, abuse of young infants and our elderly and intimidation and threatening behaviour, which is completely unjustified.

I don’t think our visitor will be back in a hurry.