The small light hand smack around a child's buttocks is perfectly fine when they're naughty. If you'd seen the thrashings my brothers and I received in the 1930s-1940s for trivial acts, you'd definitely agree with non-smacking. They did no harm to our family; all six of us grew up to be well-respected citizens. We have to show them who's boss, otherwise their naughtiness becomes worse. That's a sign of weak parental care.

At primary school our headmaster had a thick leather strap he used if a child broke the rules. I can vouch for that.

At our high school some teachers also had leather straps, which I can vouch for again. My three years at high school were wonderful – something I'll always treasure.

Ernest Izett, Tauranga.