Dutton’s Voice demands a sense of relevance

What really annoys me about being cashless is the practice of small retailers charging you for using EFTPOS tap-n-go and claiming that they are simply passing on the fees that the banks charge them.
There is no mention of the compensating savings they receive from not having to handle, sort, count, store, insure and bank the cash receipts. Also, no mention of the likelihood that these fees, like all of their other costs, are already included in their prices. No, just pocket the savings, but slam the public for any extras you think you can get away with while blaming someone else for forcing them on you.
On the other hand, this is no different than what the banks do themselves. It might be small potatoes, but it’s just as irritating. Adrian Connelly, Springwood

We still need cash. Me for example, and I’m sure others do too, even in urban areas, not just in the bush. I make cash transfers to a debit card, which I then use for most purchases, especially online, but not all, so I keep a spare $50 in my wallet for emergencies. We got rid of phone boxes, but look what came back. Gordana Martinovich, Dulwich Hill

If a company refuses cash, they are not entitled to charge a fee for using EFTPOS. Unfortunately, many large companies also charge their customers for using a debit card, which is similar to cash in that it is a direct payment from an account, unlike using a credit card. Jenny Greenwood, Hunter Hill

Banks may be doing themselves, their customers and the nation a disservice by closing branches. Should there ever be a successful cyber attack on our banking system, cash can come in very handy. Tony Brownlow, Glebe

Smart mines would save billions

If relatively inexpensive “smart” sea mines are such a powerful weapon and effective deterrent to military ships entering disputed waters, then there is a reason Australia is spending up to $200 billion on nuclear-powered submarines (“Bought as a deterrent Sea Mines to China”, January 23)? Our submarines, if ever acquired, will be an easy target for the 100,000 or more Chinese mines. Also, anti-submarine technology can be expected to evolve tremendously over the next 20 years while we wait for our expensive toy. Geoff Harding, Chatswood

Every day we read of health, education and housing crises due to lack of funding, yet billions can be raised to bolster our military capacity against manufactured enemies. Tragically, our leaders bought America’s war neurosis. Jimmy Carter called the US “the most warlike nation in the history of the world” and said that “peaceful China is ahead of us in almost every way”. Time for us to reset our priorities. Anne Shay, Ballina

Psst…don’t tell the Chinese about sea mines, they might want to use them against our multi-billion dollar nuclear submarines when we finally get them. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls

bridge closure

Brilliantly said by your correspondent (Letters, January 23) about the arbitrary closure of the Harbor Bridge for many hours by this so-called “government” whose leader has declared that a protester against inaction on climate change deserves imprisonment. Obviously wealthy Americans have rights in NSW but not Australians worried about our future. Roll on March. Ian Usman Lewis, Kentucky

Speaking of the recent selective legal deprivation of the right to protest, there is a right that governments cannot infringe. If you don’t like how our leaders and Ryan Gosling’s crew slowed down Sydney traffic by closing the bridge, simply boycott the film if it’s released here and send a clear message as to why. Fred Jansohn, Rose Bay

Despite the inconvenience to many, Ryan Gosling and his crew had permission to shoot their film. The public has been informed. The climate change activist broke the law and the public was unaware that this was about to happen. On that occasion there was no injustice, only a judge applying the law. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach

Although the Harbor Bridge is my neighbor, not only couldn’t I drive, horseback ride, or walk across it on Sunday, I couldn’t even walk to the south end of adjacent Alfred Street on the waterfront to begin my regular morning walk and sidewalk closures. Others were in the same boat. Surely exaggerated? Edward Loong, Milson’s Point

Old story

When the founders of the US wrote the Constitution, longevity was in their 50s and 60s, and they probably never imagined geriatrics would be hanging around in their 90s and pursuing their political careers (“Sprightly Biden Salutes the Golden Age,” March 23, 2009). . January). Otherwise, those founding fathers would have imposed an age limit on the Senate, Congress, and the judiciary. We must be thankful that our politicians are taking early retirement and are not making themselves a nuisance in Parliament. Likewise with our judges. It’s amazing how someone in their 80’s and 90’s can look their best. No wonder there is such a disconnect between aging politicians and Gen X and Y. Mukul Desai, Hunter’s Hill

Privacy Policy

Your editorial (“Clubs must not receive keys to game card data”, 23 January) is correct. Data must be independently managed in accordance with data protection principles and solely in the interests of the players and to prevent criminal activity. ClubsNSW’s privacy policy is unsatisfactory as it states: “When we no longer need the personal data we hold about you, we will take reasonable steps to securely destroy that data or ensure that the data is anonymised. I recently wrote to ClubsNSW to ask what that means in practice and how long my driver’s license and other information will be kept. I haven’t received an answer yet. Alex Byrne, Glebe

Sour Grapes

It must be sad to live in the world of a conservative commentator (“The Big Promises Jacinda Broke”, smh.com.au, 23 January). Jacinda Ardern is universally respected. She is caring, loved, admired, and most importantly, a competent and honest politician, judging by the many awards she has received from leaders around the world. This is in stark contrast to what happened when Scott Morrison was pushed off the stage. However, all Roshena Campbell can do is nag and complain about Ardern and squabble over perceived policy failings. Why be so critical? What harm has she ever done to you, Roshena, or to the people of New Zealand? Why not enjoy a Prime Minister that most Australians would love to own if the opportunity arose. Ross Hudson, Mount Martha (Vic)

Train vs Plane

Further calls for an express just don’t pile up (Letters, January 23). I took the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto in September: 445 kilometers in 160 minutes. Fantastic service (five trains leave within 30 minutes). At this rate, however, the 880 km from Sydney to Melbourne would take five hours and 20 minutes. For someone traveling to Sydney or Melbourne for a day or two, this would not be an alternative to flying, which takes just over an hour. Dale Bailey, Five Dock

A gender distorted

The Liberal Party seems to think MP stands for male parliamentarians (“Wall-to-Wall Men: Liberal Candidates Almost All Male,” January 23). Charles Hargrave, Elizabeth Bay

At its own risk, the NSW Liberal Party is ignoring the many savvy voters who are aware of the paraphrased notion that politics is too serious a matter to be left solely to male politicians. Steve Ngeow, Chatswood

New PM in Kiwi language

It’s the New Zealand version of Hopkins (“Ardern Ally Takes Reins of Party, NZ,” January 23). Don Leayr, Albury

let them eat cake

Buckingham Palace wants the pomp and coronation ceremony to demonstrate the importance of the monarchy to a nation struggling with the cost of living and budget cuts (“Palace Orders Pomp, Participation,” January 23). Is that reasonable? Mark Porter, New Lambton

backyard tennis

Why wait for permission to abolish the “Let” Serve (Letters, January 23)? I urge all social tennis players to take matters into their own hands like we did 15 years ago. We also don’t stop play during a rally when the net comes into play. How many other rules do we accept just because we’ve always done it that way? Jim Lavis, New Lambton

The digital gaze
Commenting online on one of the stories that received the most reader feedback yesterday smh.com.au
Australia buys ‘potent and powerful’ naval mines to deter China
from Bhenson:″⁣China has the largest navy in the world and is adding a new warship every month. It is advisable that Australia takes steps to enable us to defend ourselves in the event of a conflict. No one wants war, but neither should we be complacent about China’s massive military buildup and claim to the South China Sea.″⁣

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