RE: ‘Child poverty actually abuse' (The Weekend Sun, November 14)

I'd like to congratulate K.Molloy on their excellent letter pointing out ‘child poverty' is a euphemism for child abuse.

There is no need for any child to go to school hungry when bread is available at $1 a loaf.

They rightly point out it's immoral to continue producing children when you do not have the means to care for them properly.

Minister of State Services Paula Bennett is doing her best to stop people bucking the system but there is no accountability as to what WINZ handouts are spent on.
Food, clothing and petrol vouchers could be issued instead of money, which cannot be transferred to anyone else or exchanged for drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.

It goes back to education. Girls must be taught dropping out of school to have a baby and go on a benefit is not a wise career choice.

Likewise, having several children by different partners who disappear into the night without supporting their offspring is foolish. At least get their address, phone number and IRD number, would be good too if they have one.

People in this country are overly generous. Foodbanks sound like a good idea but it stops people learning to fend for themselves.

It's easy to grow your own vegetables, even in pots or on window sills, but how many WINZ clientele grow their own food?

My mother has told me during World War II she queued for hours to buy offal - the only thing not rationed. This is a country of abundance but the welfare system is being abused and children along with it.

M Brooks, Pyes Pa.