WHY all the fuss about the closure of White Magazine (‘Magazine folds after backlash’, Newcastle Herald, 19/11)? This is simply capitalism doing what it does best – eliminating business models that are not viable. The owners decided to cater to a particular market segment (those not enamored with marriage equality). If that segment were strong enough, then those who supported the owners’ beliefs would put their money behind them. How can somebody who was never your customer “bully” your business by not giving you their custom? This is a textbook example of why government doesn’t need to regulate markets; they are perfectly capable of dealing with things themselves.
Scott Hillard, New Lambton
IN my opinion no one’s life, liberty, property or public utilities are safe while the NSW and federal Liberal-National governments are sitting in the parliaments.
Robert Bowne, Marks Point
I HAVE just returned from a holiday at Apollo Bay in Victoria. An eroded section of the beach there is currently being stabilised with huge rocks that make the rocks shown in the photos of Stockton look like pebbles (‘Stockton too risky for branch surf carnivals’, Herald, 19/11). It seems small rocks can be easily dislodged by a heavy sea. Once the front line of rocks is moved, others become vulnerable and the wall collapses. It would be sensible for both Newcastle and Great Lakes councils to inquire of the stabilisation work at Apollo Bay.
Gerry Gamble, Charlestown
IN reply to Ian Kirkwood’s column (‘High hopes for a long awaited revitalisation’, Herald, 17/11), "high hopes" says it all. It's more like wishful thinking. The nation's seventh largest city has been taken off global Sydney's train system. Frequent, fast CBD battery-powered intercities or a cut and cover line directly to Newcastle station would turbocharge the lower Hunter economic pie. Does anyone really think there would have been truncation in the face of long overdue 90 minute end-to-end trips?
Graeme Tychsen, Rankin Park
IT’S time all of the climate do-gooders came clean on the subject of farting. Cows are not the only animal emitting methane. Sea creatures, insect or human, all are releasing methane gas into the world’s atmosphere. Even termite colonies, numbering thousands, with several hundred thousand in each colony, are responsible for methane emissions. Ho hum, what a cow of a life those do-gooders must have.
Neil Fletcher, West Wallsend
BUILDING a container terminal at the Port of Newcastle is not against government policy. Government policy requires the developer of a container terminal to pay the government a fee for container shipments. The purpose of the fee is to limit or prevent the development of a terminal. The ACCC is currently investigating whether the government has breached the Competition Act.
Greg Cameron, Wamboin
THE POLLS
DOES Newcastle need a cruise ship terminal?
