Whistling down the line
Regarding the use of pea whistles by V/Line train conductors. In the past, this type of whistle was used by various grades of railway employees (shunters, track workers, guards, signalmen and yard staff etc), obviously before radio communication was invented.
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Passenger train guards used a whistle to depart trains but this was in relation to using flags (by day) and lanterns (by night).
It had nothing to do with alerting passengers but was linked to a whole series of other processes to depart trains. In fact, guards were expressly forbidden (rules & regulations 1966, regulation 194 clause (d)) to use the whistle to hurry passengers.
Various other train departure procedures were eliminated by enlightened management over the years seeking to make the system more 'friendly', e.g. the removal of 'gated' platforms that stopped uncontrolled access to platforms.
So over a hundred years of the use of whistles resulted in no change to the operational performance of the system.
The whistle still manages to have a lure of fascination for those that think that it can.
Bob Bassett, The Rail Tram & Bus Union
Smoking precedent shows how to live healthier
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared 31 May "World No Tobacco Day".
We've known about the link between smoking and cancer for more than 60 years, and any opportunity to remind people to quit is welcome.
But let's not forget that meat, which is much more widely consumed than cigarettes, can also be deadly.
The WHO ranks processed meats as group 1 carcinogens - bacon, ham, and sausages are now in the same category as asbestos, alcohol, arsenic, and tobacco as a major cause of cancer, while red meat more generally is in the 2A "probably carcinogenic" category.
Millions of people have improved their health and longevity by quitting smoking, and millions more would live longer and better if they gave up processed and other meats.
Laura Weyman-Jones, PETA Australia
Cutting welfare help will only hurt the community more
Regarding the Liberal Party trying to make welfare payments more streamlined, this is all very well stopping payments to welfare groups.
Unfortunately, this is a very debatable question as there is not enough work to go around, and I believe that cutting out the dole after a certain time is not the answer to this problem.
It will only create more problems. We will end up with more robberies, theft and crime.
People cannot live without money in their pockets.
Crime will be greater, people begging in the streets. Surely, the government must know this is not the solution.
There are a lot of people in despair as trying to get work is next to nil. Perhaps a solution to this problem is sharing the jobs.
I believe most people are generally looking for work. Yes, we must cut out the rorts like single parents claiming to be single, and help those on drugs etc, but don't put all unemployed in the same box; most are genuinely looking for work.
Coral Marshall, Mt Clear
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