Write on: Letters to the editor

Confused

It was with great interest that I read Jim Green's book review “Australia
and the Atomic Empire” (GLW #441). I was somewhat confused by its
reference to my own work, however. Dr Green, dismisses my early archival
history of Australia's nuclear ambitions as “disingenuous”, which the dictionary
defines as insincere or deceitful. That is quite the claim.

It is even more curious given what Jim Green has said about my work
in other publications. In one article he describes my research as “one
of the most thorough and useful accounts of the historical interest in
weapons acquisition or manufacture in Australia”. He went on to describe
it as “particularly valuable”. (see <http://www.geocities.com/jimgreen3/shiftingdebates.html>)

It is quite a fall from “particularly valuable” to “disingenuous”. I
am inclined to give Dr Green the benefit of the doubt on this one and conclude
that he meant to use a different word. It is one thing is disagree with
research; it is quite another to question the motives of the researcher.

I look forward to Dr Green's reply.

Dr Jim Walsh

Cambridge

Massachusetts USA

Greenhouse effect

The West Australian newspaper recently carried a full-page ad from
the federal government entitled “The greenhouse effect. 10 easy ways every
Australian can make a difference”, which listed Don Burke's tips on the
little things we can do. It made me so furious, because it parodies and
belittles the role that people can and need to play.

The majority of people are concerned about the greenhouse effect, but
to imply that the solutions lie with small adjustments we make as individuals
is outrageous misinformation on the part of the Howard government. Social
planning needs a massive overhaul in order to significantly reduce Australia's
production of greenhouse gases.

Burke outlines the government's contribution — $200 million a year to
help lower greenhouse gases, helping 300 major companies clean up their
act. This mysterious sum is not itemised — is it for enforcement of new
industry standards, is it for re-funding of public transport systems to
give people real transport choices? Or is it just another handout to industry?

The key contributors to greenhouse gas production are Australia's high
car use and polluting industry, not people boiling water on the stove or
having long showers.

How can an individual initiate a massive expansion of our public transport
system and upgrade technology for all polluting industries? Only on a collective
level, through action and protest to force the government to take the concrete
action required.

The Howard government should be condemned for trying to pass the buck
to ordinary Australians as if we are all equally responsible for the production
of greenhouse gases.

Sarah Stephen

Bayswater WA

[Abridged]

European Union

I am, quite frankly, amazed to be accused by James Debono (Write on, GLW
#442) of a misleading report on the Danish Red-Green organised conference
in Copenhagen on the European Union.

This was a report on a conference and the positions presented there
— clearly so — not on the positions of all the various parties and tendencies
of the European left.

Only one Green party, that of England and Wales, sent delegates. I feel
their presentations were as well reported as any in a short article.

The report also made clear there is a division in the European left
between those, like Debono, favouring a campaign to change the EU into
a “green and social” one, and others who favour its abolition and replacement
with a voluntary confederation among the nations of Europe.

Debono could have mentioned that not all Maltese favour accession to
the EU. The delegate from Malta at the conference is one such person.

An accusation of misleading reporting should be made with greater care.

Jonathan Strauss

Rural M1

An old friend of mine, an old metalworkers' union organiser, used to get
slightly unhinged when small farmers were mentioned. He reflected the antipathy
many urban workers feel for country people. “Bastards”, he would growl,
“they all vote for the National Party. They deserve whatever they get.”
I never did agree with him and so I was delighted to read Sue Bull's piece,
“M1 goes rural” (GLW, March 28 2001).

Although the left has often talked about the importance of reaching
out to the country, we've seldom actually done anything about it. With
the Coalition apparently experiencing meltdown across rural Australia,
there are distinct possibilities for breakthroughs there for the left,
however modest. All but the Ian McLachlans of the bush have been hit for
six by economic rationalism, especially small farmers and agricultural
labourers.

Rural workers are the natural allies of their city cousins, and in fact
the rural sector was one of the first to be unionised in Australia. Some
of the provincial trades and labour councils have a history of struggle.

There is no reason, either, why small farmers cannot form part of the
“natural” constituency of the left — unless they are completely eliminated
as a social layer by market forces. I can remember many occasions when
small farmers contributed in kind to workers on strike.

I don't need to spell out to your readers the acute danger of Hansonism
spreading among desperate people. Hanson has no policies except those of
racial hatred and “downwards envy”, but when people feel betrayed by the
major parties, they will clutch at straws.

It is frightening that so many lunatic ideas are accepted as good coin
by many in the bush. The gun lobbyists, the racists, the world conspiracy
“theorists”, the economic flat earthers and assorted fascists and nutters
all find a home under the Hanson umbrella.

Organising in rural areas will be an enormous task, given the “tyranny
of distance”, and the left has to work out its priorities, given limited
resources. However, can we leave the running to the hard right? So, more
strength to the arms of those M1 people who have decided to reach out to
the country.

Without trying to preclude the necessary debate on whether the new Socialist
Alliance should stand Senate candidates (I am in two minds about it myself)
it seems that a Senate campaign could also reach out to the battlers in
the bush.

Dr John Tully

Victoria University

Melbourne

Fred Paterson

A critical study of history is an important subject for the education of
a Marxist activist. As the Socialist Alliance will be contesting the forthcoming
federal election, a review of the autobiography of Fred Paterson, Communist
Party member for Bowen 1944-50 could be of some assistance.

Fred Paterson had worked as a farmer, teacher and barrister before his
election to Townsville Council in 1939. He campaigned and secured the establishment
of a municipal ice works, fruit and vegetable markets, child minding centres
and other amenities.

In 1943 he polled 20,629 votes for the federal seat of Herbert, and
the following year was elected to the Queensland Parliament for the seat
of Bowen.

In his autobiography, Paterson stated: “In Parliament, I expounded the
principles of socialism wherever they were relevant in the debate and played
my part in discussing various aspects of legislation which came before
Parliament.”

On St Patrick's Day 1948, while supporting the rail workers' picket
line, he was knocked unconscious by Detective Mahoney. His health was seriously
impaired. A gerrymander of the electorate by the right-wing Labor government
caused his defeat in 1950.

Paterson continued to serve the working class until his death in 1977.
He remains a role model for future socialist parliamentarians.

Green Left Weekly, combined with public campaigns is playing
a significant part in demonstrating the advantages of democratic socialism
that is destined to eventually replace corrupt capitalism.

Bernie Rosen

Strathfield NSW

Yallourn power workers

The Yallourn power workers are before the full-bench arbitration hearing
in Melbourne this month. These workers are law-abiding citizens, challenging
the penal-like Howard government Workplace Relations Act. This act, if
enforced in full, will render these workers almost prisoners in their own
workplace.

Workplace disputes should not be conducted in legal courtrooms. Workplace
disagreements are usually specific issues and should be decided by engaging
both parties appearing before an independent disputes panel, directing
commonsense and justice decisions suitable for both groups without legal
terminology.

When overseas companies acquire profitable, successful Australian companies
like the former SEC, they should understand that the coal comes from Australian
soil, that the work force is Australian, the power and energy supplies
Australian industry and its citizens, while the employees are entitled
to working conditions that are acceptable to Australians.

Luke van der Meulen and his leadership team have shown real courage
in challenging these unworkable workplace laws and should be supported
by all sections of the community.

Richard Tate

Seaford Vic