Dutton’s voice request is a grasp of relevance

What really irritates me about going cashless is the practice of small retailers charging for EFTPOS tap-and-go usage and claiming they are just passing on fees charged by banks.
No mention is made of the offsetting savings gained from eliminating cash handling, sorting, counting, storage, insurance and bank deposits. Nor does it mention that these fees may already be factored into the price, like all other costs. No, just pocket the savings, but give the public the extra you think you can get away with while blaming someone else for forcing it on you.
Again, it’s no different than what the banks themselves are doing. It may be a small potato, but it is equally exciting. Adrian Connelly, Springwood

I still need cash. I do, and others will, and will do so not only in the bush but even in urban areas. , especially shopping online, but not all. That’s why he carries a $50 spare in his wallet for emergencies. The phone booth has been removed, but look what’s back. Gordana Martinovic, Dulwich Hill

If your business refuses cash, you are not entitled to charge for using EFTPOS. Sadly, many large companies also charge their customers for using debit cards. Debit cards are similar to cash because they are paid directly from your account, unlike credit cards. Jenny Greenwood, Hunter’s Hill

By cutting branches, banks may be doing themselves, their customers and the country a disservice. Cash can be very useful in the event of a successful cyberattack on banking systems. Tony Brownlow, Greaves

Smart Mining Saves Billions of Dollars

When a relatively low-cost “smart” mine is such a powerful weapon and an effective deterrent to warships entering disputed waters, it makes sense for Australia to spend up to $200 billion on nuclear submarines. Is not it.Mine purchased as a deterrent to China”, January 23)? If our submarine is acquired, it will be an easy target for China’s over 100,000 mines. Moreover, anti-submarine technology is expected to develop significantly over the next 20 years while waiting for expensive toys to come along. Jeff Harding, Chatswood

Every day we read about the crisis in health care, education and housing due to lack of adequate funding, while billions of dollars are being spent to build military power against hoaxed enemies. Tragically for us, our leaders have embraced America’s war neurosis. Jimmy Carter called the United States “the most belligerent country in the history of the world” and said that “peaceful China is ahead of us in almost every respect”.It’s time to reset our priorities. is here. Ann Shay, Ballina

By the way … don’t talk to the Chinese about mines. When we finally get them, they may want to use them against our multi-billion dollar nuclear submarines. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls

bridge closure

Your correspondent brilliantly said (letterIn response to the hours-long arbitrary closure of the Harbor Bridge by this so-called “government,” its leaders declared that protesters against climate change inaction deserve jail time. Rich Americans have rights in New South Wales, but Australians aren’t worried about our future. Ian Usman Lewis, Kentucky

When it comes to the selective withdrawal of the right to protest by recent legislation, there is one right that the government cannot touch. If you don’t like the way our leader and Ryan Gosling’s crew closed the bridge and caused trouble for Sydney traffic, boycott the movie when it comes out here and clearly state why. Please give me. Fred Janson, Rose Bay

Despite annoying many, Ryan Gosling and his team were allowed to shoot the film. made known to the public. Climate activists broke the law, but the public didn’t know it was about to happen. In this case there was no injustice, just the magistrate applied the law. Dennis Sutling, Newport Beach

The Harbor Bridge is my next door neighbor, but not only could I not drive, ride, or walk on Sunday, the road made it difficult to walk to the south end of adjacent Alfred Street at the water’s edge. I couldn’t even do it. and closed the sidewalk. Others were on the same boat. Surely overkill? Edward Ron, Milson’s Point

ancient history

When the Founding Fathers of the United States wrote the Constitution, life spans were in their 50s and 60s, and they probably never thought geriatrics would continue their political careers into their 90s.Hilarious Biden Embraces Golden Age”, January 23). Otherwise the Founding Fathers would have put age limits on the Senate, Congress and the Judiciary. We must thank our politicians for gracefully retiring early and not causing trouble in Congress. He’s baffled that there are people in their 80’s or he’s 90’s who can do their best. No wonder there is such a disconnect between older politicians and generations X and Y. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill

privacy policy

your editorial (“Do not give clubs keys for game card data”, January 23) is correct. The data must be kept separate, in accordance with the principles of privacy, solely for the benefit of the gambler and the prevention of criminal activity. ClubsNSW’s privacy policy is unsatisfactory, stating: I recently wrote to ClubsNSW asking what that actually meant and how long my driver’s license and other information would be kept. i have not received a response yet. Alex Byrne, Glebe

sore loser

It must be sad to live in a world of conservative commentators (“The Big Promise Jacinda Didn’t Keep”, smh.com.au, 23 January). Jacinda Ardern is globally respected. She is compassionate, loved, admired, and most importantly, a competent and honest politician, judging by the many accolades from leaders around the world. in stark contrast to what happened when it was pushed out of the . But Roshena Campbell can only strain and complain about President Ardern and undermine perceived policy failures. Why are you so critical? What harm has she ever done to you, Rochena, or the people of New Zealand? Ross Hudson, Mount Martha (Vic)

train v plane

Even if the number of calls requesting express trains increases, it will not simply pile up (letter, January 23). I took him on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto in September. 445 kilometers he traveled in 160 minutes. Great service (5 trains within 30 minutes). However, at this speed, the 880 km from Sydney to Melbourne would take him 5 hours and 20 minutes. This is no substitute for a flight that takes just over an hour for someone traveling to Sydney or Melbourne for a day or two. Dale Bailey, Five Doc

gender bias

The Liberal Party seems to think that MP stands for male parliamentarian (“Men on the Wall: Nearly All Liberal Candidates Are Men”, January 23). Charles Hargrave, Elizabeth Bay

The New South Wales Liberal Party ignores many voters who care about the irony of the rhetoric that politics is too serious an issue to be left to male politicians alone. Chatswood, Steve Nyou

new prime minister in kiwi

It is the New Zealand version of Hopkins (“Ardern allies take the reins of the party, NZ”, January 23). Don Rhea, Albury

let them eat cake

Buckingham Palace hopes the extravagance and ceremony of the coronation will demonstrate the relevance of the monarchy to a nation struggling with cut living costs and budgets.Palace command pomp, join”, January 23). is that reasonable? Mark Porter, New Lambton

backyard tennis

You don’t have to wait for permission to “let it” and discard the serve (letter, January 23)? As it was 15 years ago, I strongly encourage all social his tennis his players to take matters into their own hands. Also, even if the net gets tangled during the rally, play will not stop. How many other rules do we accept just because that’s how we’ve always done it? Jim Lavis, New Lambton

digital view
Online comments from one of the stories that garnered the most reader feedback yesterday smh.com.au
Australia buys ‘strong and powerful’ mines to deter China
from benson: ″⁣ China has the world’s largest navy and is adding new warships every month. It would be wise to take steps to enable Australia to defend itself in the event of conflict. No, but in the face of China’s massive military buildup and territorial claims in the South China Sea, we must not be complacent.”

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