It is a bit of Scroogeism to resent paying for the Royals to come to New Zealand, from E Izett's letter ‘Don't pay for the Royals' (The weekend Sun, April 24). There are many supporters of the royals in NZ, who are happy to pay for such a visit.

Further one should also consider the free advertising NZ gets worldwide from a royal visit, plus also the GST and tax gathered from all the spending a royal visit engenders. Who can really deny the joy on the faces of the crowds who attended events, especially the children, come on Ernie.

One mil on the royals is nothing as a cost to NZ compared to the pensions hapless MPs, who serve nine years, receive for the rest of their lives at our expense.

I shudder at the thought of the millions that go out every year to retired MPs, some who may have retired or been kicked out in their 40s.

Alastair Bourne, Bethlehem.