With silly season ‘gongs' happening again, we can reflect on one things the Labour Government got right - abolishing Knighthoods and Damehoods dished out to the rich and famous.

New Zealand doesn't need this archaic part of the British honours system to sweeten and glorify those who've already been amply rewarded in their business careers and past-times.

There is no need for this embellishment at all, nor can it be justified for any reason. Simply dish out the non-descript meaningless NZ Honours (in many cases undeserved); and everyone might be reasonably happy.

This should also shorten the after-dinner speaking circuit too; and that's not a bad thing either, not having to listen to those expounding their self-interest agendas.

S Paterson, Arataki.