Are we on stolen land?
Brian Stanmore, (Bendigo Ady 19/6/20), stated that Captain James Cook" a master mariner, came to our part of the world transporting a group of astronomers to observe the transit of Venus across the sun".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This observation was to occur at Tahiti.
How many Australians would claim Tahiti as "our part of the world"?
But Brian fails to tell readers that Cook also had a secret set of instructions which he was to open after having carried out his transit observations.
Among other things those instructions directed Cook to go in search of the Great South Land AND "with the consent of the Natives to take possession....in the name of the King of Great Britain".
Brian: Why did you omit these instructions from your letter?
Do you have any proof that Cook took possession with the consent of the Natives?
Isn't taking things without consent (without permission) - isn't that called stealing?
So Brian, aren't you, and I, and all non-indigenous people, walking on stolen land?
Bernard Cannon, Golden Square
Open letter to the PM
Dear Prime Minister,
Re. Defence budget
I understand your deep sense of responsibility for the defence of Australia and that defence of the nation is a top priority.
I know we live in a world where aggression and unpredictable threat abounds. I am certain that you and your cabinet struggle making decisions facing a limited and stretched budget.
I presume the ultimate goal of your policies and budget is to gain peace and prosperity for all members of this nation.
But I question, is it realistic for us and every nation, to build enormous and supremely expensive war chests in the hope that we will gain and maintain peace? That consumes resources and seems to me to be irrational.
Wouldn't it make more sense to spend our resources on acts of care, support and charity, building up warm and deep friendships internationally?
Our enormous Defence budget could do untold amounts of good in the world and contribute creatively to the peace we seek.
Friends don't threaten each other. The alternative is a futile cold war and viewing nations as threat.
It is surely childish and foolish to continue to play expensive war games while being in the pursuit of peace.
We are not a war-like people and our ventures into war in recent times (unfortunately as nominal supporters of our big ally) have meant that many of our Defence Force personnel have paid enormous personal cost from which they will never recover. They become pawns of political decisions. The price paid is enormous and wasteful.
Do we really think we can stand against the enormous power and growing aggression of China? Our costly accumulation of war resources are puny toys beside the size and wealth of our most threatening neighbour.
David U'Ren, Jackass Flat
The Letter of the Week will win its author a $30 Coles voucher.
This week's winner is David U'Ren.
Please note our new address addynews@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Letters may also be posted to the Bendigo Advertiser, PO Box 61, Bendigo 3552.
Or complete the digital form