Issue 738

Letters To The Editor

No Good will Come of War

It seems there are two dangerous wars brewing in the world today.

One, seemingly initiated by the events of September 11, is being waged by the USA and it's against terrorism. Although its claim is that it is in the pursuit of justice, this show of military might is anything but just. It capitalises on the grief and anger of the American people and their friends, it exploits the political savvy of those whose causes are advanced by American support, and it is founded in the ignorance of the majority of people who accept that the suicide attacks on America were unjustified.

That those attacks were abhorrent in the extreme is true, that there is a need for the murderers to be brought to justice is true, but it is not true that war is the appropriate response. It will do little to deter further terrorist activity, especially when that activity is born of the sheer desperation of people whose families and nations have suffered abysmally at the hands of American military, trade, environmental and other policies.

The second war is waged by the ignorant people of this world against Muslims and against Islam, who, by virtue of religious association, are deemed by them to represent terrorism. Such people operate from limited understanding, seizing on the ideas held by a minority as being typical of the whole, and assuming, in their fear, that all Muslims are fanatics and willing martyrs. Perhaps they forget that the beliefs and ethics of the Christians who embarked on the Crusades, became agents of the Inquisition, destroyed cultures and enslaved so many people, were no less abhorrent than those of the Muslims who engage in mass suicide attacks.

The fact is that Islam, in its pure form, is as much a peace-loving religion as Christianity and as Buddhism and many other religions. If we care to examine the teachings of their founders, we find that all true religions have peace and goodwill at their heart and the ethic of 'Love thy neighbour as thyself' as their practice. It is only the interpretations, omissions and additions made by their disciples and followers, in the light of their own political and cultural circumstances, that have distorted the popular image of each religion.

Do we want peace in our world? If so, we need each individual and each nation to be willing to look within, to find its own shadow, to accept its own responsibility for its contribution towards injustice and disharmony.

We need to find understanding and forgiveness, even for what seems to be incomprehensible and unforgivable. We need to stop searching for scapegoats, establish the genuine causes and rectify many problems.

But most of all, we need, each one of us, to overcome the mass ignorance which makes us puppets in the hands of those who wield political and religious power.

It's up to us.

Jill Garsden
Goonellabah

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Toothless Tigers

I am writing in serious concern about are current dental services, or lack thereof. I was totally shocked when upon ringing with an urgent problem, was told l would be placed on a waiting list.

I tried to get across the seriousness of my pain and was told there was nothing they could do. Not only could they not find an appointment for me they couldn't even give me an estimated time frame as to how long l would be required to wait.

I then informed them l found this unsatisfactory, so did the staff, but there was nothing they could do.

I was then directed to Joy Hathaway, The Northern Rivers Area Service, complaints manager. Ms Hathaway, while sympathetic to my problem also informed me there was nothing she could do. She told me that it was a common problem, around 350 people are currently in need of dental services in this area. She went on to elaborate that when I did eventually get an appointment it would only be to evaluate the treatment needed and I would then be given an appointment for the actual treatment. How long can this all take, nobody could give me an answer on that.

Still in shock but getting more determined to find an answer as to how this could happen in our country with the health services we have available, I decided to take the matter further. Ms Hathaway directed me to the local member Thomas George MP, but also informed me that my complaint would then be forwarded back to her even though she had no authority to actually do anything about it. This was bureaucracy at its best. With no disrespect meant to Ms Hathaway what is the point of her position.

I pushed on and contacted the office of Thomas George MP. I was informed that they were aware of this problem also and could I please put my complaint in writing so it could be forwarded to the office of the minister for health as well as Ms Hathaway.

So I wrote my letter of complaint but then I realised the more support we have the more power we have. So I decided to write to the local paper in hope that any people who have encountered similar treatment might also write to the local member so this situation does not continue.

Please understand this has not always been the case, the changes to the dental services only came about with the last change of government.

They needed funding for the Olympics, so certain services were cut, this is the implication being made to me but no one would exactly come out and say it. The dental services prior to this were very good. And people with emergencies may have needed to wait a few hours but they would be seen that day.

My situation is one of urgency and unfortunately my financial status does not allow for me to seek private attention. So I wait in pain and hope somehow I can effect a change in the meantime.

Kia Jemison
Lismore

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Council Mergers

I refer to the letter from Dr Gates (Echo, Sept 13) interestingly entitled 'False truths in council amalgamation'.

The facts in this matter are that the Richmond Valley Council was created in a legal and democratic manner and fully in accordance with public policy. The Council itself determined the extent, direction and pace of reform. The Minister had nothing whatsoever to do with the initial decision by the Councils to amalgamate.

Despite the results of a constituent poll and a strong political campaign, a majority of elected representatives of both councils voted in favour of reform by way of amalgamation. Councillors were acutely aware of the nature and extent of public opposition, and the prospect that benefits would be limited in the short-term. However, both councils chose to proceed in the hope that a larger organisation might be more effective and be better able to deal with a local economy that is awkwardly placed on the spatial and economic periphery.

I am inclined to agree with Dr Gates that this amalgamation was not a preferred option but only because the joining of two marginally viable councils merely creates a larger basket case. I believe strongly that the only viable restructuring in this area is to create a single jurisdiction for the whole of the Richmond Valley.

On the broader issue of reform, there is a general trend toward fewer councils among Western economies.

With the exception of the USA, all have reduced numbers and some, including the UK and Germany, by between 80-90 per cent.

Dr Gates correctly asserts that the international empirical evidence favours small jurisdictions, or is mixed.

However, overseas research is largely irrelevant as Australian councils uniquely provide less than 12% of all local public goods. Here, the States provide most local services including schools, hospitals and police.

Ian Manning's unpublished 1985 research undertaken for the Victorian Grants Commission provided conclusive evidence of the advantage of size when he observed a clear and unambiguous relationship between increasing population and lower unit costs. His method was employed using NSW data in my thesis to establish a similar but less statistically powerful finding. Manning's work, and the 1993 research work by Des Moore was used to intellectually underpin the extensive Victorian local government reform.

Based on this evidence, I am convinced that the public good may be best served by extensive, compulsory reform of the structure of Australian Local Government. In NSW, the number of councils should be reduced from 173 to around 100 jurisdictions naturally formed by commerce and geography. This restructuring was originally proposed by Barnett's excellent and comprehensive review conducted in 1973.

Local Government is not about providing jobs for the lucky, advantage for a politically powerful few and obtaining the maximum grant from the general taxpayer because of a preference for smallness. It is about remaining relevant and acting with equality and effectiveness in a changing, competitive, centralised world.

The Minister has acted pragmatically, properly and in the public interest by promoting the reform of local government. He has done very little, in my view, to warrant the constant barrage of criticism by Dr Gates.

Stephen Soul
Alstonville

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For Arts Sake

As an artist I would never wish to win an art prize, for when art becomes acceptable it is murdered. Art is for private moments, not public. Bearing that in mind, there would be no excuse for construing this as a letter in dissent of the recent decision to award Jane Gow the Living Treasures art prize. It was good painting, and it was highly marketable art that she gave us. Beware buoyancy however.

What I wonder about is why anyone would choose an art critic to award an art prize? Why not an art lover? This lupine behaviour in sensitive new age garb works only for commercial interests.

A real work of art is something that takes us beyond day to day interests, and infects us with some aspect of a human sentiment never before expressed. It is interesting not because of its slick technique or attention to detail, but because of the complexity and beauty in what it is saying, though the form be simple.

Bernard Rooney
The Channon

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For Whom the Bells Poll

Returning to Australia from overseas, I am astonished to hear that those mysterious things, 'The Polls', are now showing the Howard government with a lead over the Opposition.

Who is it that is polled by 'The Polls'? How many dispossessed farmers or struggling caravan park residents have been rung up by 'The Polls' for their views? Has anyone reading this paper ever been polled? I certainly haven't. Nor has a single one out of all those friends, relatives, neighbours and indeed passing acquaintances to whom I have put the question: 'Have The Polls ever polled you?'

So who makes up this supposed cross-section of the Australian community who now support the Howard government? Is it, perhaps, the residents of Toorak, or Vaucluse? Is it talk-back radio addicts who have been hypnotised by the Genghis Khan school of media commentators - the Lawses and the Joneses?

Or is it just ordinary people with a memory problem who have forgotten that Howard imposed a 10% GST on the shopping of pensioners and the poor while giving valuable income tax cuts to the obscenely overpaid chief executives of the big corporations? Who have forgotten the sneaky tricks over the Republic referendum and the wharf labourers dispute? The conflicts of interest? The misuse of public funds on political propaganda? The industrial relations programs of Howard, Reith and Abbott, which have meant that ordinary Australian workers no longer have security of employment or the ability to get a loan to buy a house? The humiliating status of the Australian dollar under a government which likes to boast about its economic competence? The terrible burden of paperwork imposed on small businesses? The unprincipled behaviour of Larry Anthony over the application of the GST to the rents of low-income caravan park residents?

When will someone poll me about the performance of 'The Polls'?

Peter Bowler
Ballina

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Drug War

George W declares the 'first war of the century'. I can understand him conveniently forgetting all the little dogfights endlessly going on around the planet, but the drug war? He couldn't forget that, it's just too embarrassing.

America paid the Taliban $US43 million just last May to stop growing opium. They have been the main world supplier of heroin over recent years.

Farmers were supposed to grow wheat instead but with their irrigation systems bombed to pieces that's not possible. No doubt the opium poppies are still everywhere. Now the Americans are working with the Pakistani police and intelligence along the border, the local drug mafia.

Prohibition of nature's best herbal medicines has created a massive black market trade intricately linked with armaments and wars. The Taliban must think it's a great joke, drugs are strictly banned in their religion but they can fund their army by selling heroin to western teenagers.

Meanwhile, here in Nimbin we await the annual helicopter raids where we've long thought their Rambo antics are a terrorist training exercise. It's easier to buy good Afghani hash instead of growing a few plants for yourself!

Think about it. Whole countries‚ economies are now based on the illegal drug trade, essentially banned herbs. We're all supposed to take little white pills it seems. Talk about control freaks!

Michael Balderstone
Nimbin

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Childrens Art

We were delighted to see the children's art work featured on the back page of The Northern Rivers Echo (Sept 13).

We also believe that it is important to support children's art.

Since 1999 the Coffee Camp P & C have been holding an annual small schools art exhibition/ prize. The exhibition is judged by well-known local artists. Prizes are awarded to the winners and certificates given to all participants.

Our third annual Children's Art Prize will be held at the Coffee Camp Hall on October 26 and 27.

We would like to invite the children who exhibited at Caddies to enter our show with a chance to win a prize.

We also invite all primary children to enter in 3 age groups - K\1\2, 3\4, 5\6. The 2 categories are portrait and Australian fauna or flora.

This year for the first time we are offering an open section for secondary school students.

Entry is $2 and forms are available from Coffee Camp School. Art works need to be no bigger than A3 size and submitted by October 24. For more details please contact the school on 6689 9259 or Carol on 6689 9346.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the community members who have sponsored and supported us over the years.

Ros Fleetwood
Coffee Camp P & C Association

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Poor Politics

More than 250,000 Australian dead! One lot of Australians completely wiped out in Tasmania and John Howard couldn't even find it in his heart to say sorry. Has anybody ever seen Howard kneeling in church, having a misty-eyed lip trembler while grieving for all those lost Aussies who were slaughtered by predominantly Anglo-Christian invaders and their offspring? The hypocrisy is as overwhelming as is the tragedy in the USA.

My heart goes out to all the innocent victims in the WTC and associated attacks. But it also goes out in equal amounts to all the innocent victims of aggression to any race or religion (if they choose to have one) that is caused by any government from within or abroad.

If the US government drags us (willingly or otherwise) into war and the body bags start piling up, does Mr Howard then use the word 'sorry'? My guess: you betcha politicking arse he does. His statement that his decisions regarding the Tampa asylum seekers was not politically motivated is easily the biggest pork pie of his life. He aint dumb. But neither are we.

If only we could strap 'em in a polygraph machine. Now wouldn't that be interesting!

Frosty Grego
Evans Head

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Do Your Duty

Don Hains and John Corkill (Echo, Sept 20) are quite right in their letters of concern for Australia.

Petty matters that are raised to score cheap political points and get left wing radicals in to the Labor Party only cause harm.

At this time we need the solid leadership shown by John Howard. Look at what the Labor government has done while they were in government and the effect on our youth. They totally rejected any form of national service training and so our lads have no experience of the discipline required to save themselves and their families. We can only rely on Peter Gosgrove again.

By encouraging kids to leave home they have instilled a 'know all' attitude that could be their undoing.

Currently the Labor Party is in disarray while they fight among themselves to see how many left wing trade unionists they can get into government. Even the most die hard of Labor people tell me that they are disgusted with the manner that Jenny McCallister was thrust on them.

I have made some good mates with Labor people who work on the booths on polling day. This time I am saddened when they tell me "I am not working on the booths this year, the dirty Labor infighting is too much for me".

Let us hope that the decent Labor voters get rid of the rubbish so that their party can support John Howard like Kim Beazley has done. We will all benefit.

It is not easy to forget the trade unionists who would not load the ships to send clothing and ammunition to our sons in Vietnam.

I don't want to see our girls and boys in war, I have seen enough of that, but if we have to do our bit, let's give our young people every chance. With stable government and our full support.

Bob English
Rous

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Peace Man

Easy to be visible for peace in time of peace, but more courage is needed to stand up and speak out for peace when the dogs of war are braying and fear is all about.

Now is the time for the peacemakers. Now is the time to be visible. Now is the time for courage.

The Nimbin based colourful and crusading Peacebus is being prepared to take its message of peace to the protests outside the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting in Brisbane 6 October.

It may be that CHOGM will be cancelled for some of the big players like British PM Blair have already pulled out. In global belligerence an eager partner with the US, Blair has demonstrated how small time the Commonwealth is for him.

But whether CHOGM goes ahead or not, I believe there will be a major march, rally and Peace Expo on 6 Saturday October in Brisbane's Musgrave Park, a Murri declared police free zone only a block away from the Southbank Conference Centre where CHOGM will, maybe, take place.

Last week I met with some of the Brisbane organisers and also with the police organising CHOGM security and a representative Qld Premier's Department.

Be assured that there is agreement amongst all the people I spoke to that our aim is to our mutual benefit to create an event that is peaceful, artful and safe, an event that will demonstrate how soundly established the ideals of democracy and freedom are in Queensland and Australia generally, in the people if not in the prime minister.

I know for sure that the gathering in Musgrave Park starting with a Convergence Circle at 6pm Friday, October 5, will be a colourful and auspicious meeting of indigenous people, anti-globalists and peace activists.

How shamefully eager it was of Howard to commit Australians to war and racism! And just to win brownie points on opinion polls!

I swear he will rue the day for no amount of Murdoch media hype will cover up how grovelling, foolish, mean hearted and self interested he was to offer the blood of young Australian to appease the USA, now a pebble wounded Goliath thrashing about in rage and blood lust. Dangerous! A wiser man would step back, take a deep breath and then work for enduring peace.

It may take months, even years, but I have strong faith in the basic decency of Australians and our distain for tyranny and know that it is only a matter of time before PM Howard will be remembered with contempt for the meanness of the mould he attempted to foist onto this land and its people.

The Global Carnivale in Heritage Park, Lismore, next Saturday, September 29, will be a warm up for Musgrave Park the following week. Bring music, flags, banners, lanterns and dance. Be there!

Graeme Dunstan
Nimbin

Edited for length

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