A number of countries, including our own, spearheaded by the US, maintain that China threatens freedom of navigation in the sea – a completely absurd claim.

One-third of the world's trade passes through the disputed area and most of that trade is China's own export and import.

As Paul Malone says ("Save us from today's Dr Strangelove", July 10, p19): "You only have to ask yourself why China would want to stop itself receiving our coal and iron-ore exports, or stop itself sending its exports overseas, to see how ludicrous this claim is."

John Rodriguez, Florey

Disenfranchised

Andrew Leigh is correct when he says "voting is a precious right and every Australian should be able to have their say" ("We weren't told of polling changes: Jervis Bay locals", July 10, p4).

Being able to vote is something most Australians hold dear, and probably take for granted.

However, readers might not be aware that residents of the Jervis Bay territory, including the Wreck Bay Aboriginal community, can't vote in state or ACT elections.

Nonetheless, they remain subject to ACT laws, and rely on a range of services provided by the ACT government – including our courts, education and child protection systems.

This means that, unlike the rest of us in the ACT, they have no say in the make-up of the Legislative Assembly, even though MLAs make significant decisions about their current and future lives. It also means they are unable to stand in ACT elections, another right available to other ACT residents.

The ACT has long-standing ties to the people of Jervis Bay. It's time that attention is given to their right to have a say in all of the systems that govern them.

Alasdair Roy, Campbell

Science evolves

Scientists Professor Paul Davies and Sarah Walker "leave the door open, some say, to the involvement of a non-physical, perhaps god-like, influence in the development of life in the cosmos" ("It's life, but not as we know it", July 10, p17).

While the media is saturated with election news, it's good to have a thoughtful article raising controversial issues on possible links between science and religion, and the possibility that God may actually exist.

This serious suggestion of a "god-like" influence in the development of life will arouse both vehement opposition and warm support, coming as it does from two distinguished scientific thinkers.

I'm not a trained scientist but I take very seriously the thinking of scientists such as Francis Collins, who led the Human Genome Project and wrote the book The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief.

Collins believes Christianity can be reconciled with acceptance of evolution and science in what he calls evolutionary creation.

Atheists who flatly reject such thinking need to present a positive alternative view of the origins of life.

Father Robert Willson, Deakin

The kindest shot

Frankie Seymour (Letters, July 12) thinks "high infant mortality" (slow death of infants by starvation or disease) is a better way of avoiding overpopulation in kangaroos than shooting adults.

People are upset at the thought of kangaroos being shot. So am I.

But the consequences of not shooting them are worse, for both humaneness and the environment.

Mike Dallwitz, Giralang

History beckons

It seems inevitable that Val Jeffrey will succumb to the pressure of his party and agree to contest the countback that will result in him winning the seat vacated by Brendan Smyth ("New role for Smyth blow for Liberals", July 16, p6).

As a lifelong member of the Liberal Party, it is inconceivable he would allow the seat, which rightfully belongs to his party, to be taken by an "infidel".

By becoming a member of the Legislative Assembly, Jeffrey will also create political history by becoming both the oldest member of an Australian parliament to make a maiden speech and also the member to serve the shortest time.

I doubt the "mayor of Tharwa" could resist such an opportunity to become part of political folk law.

Ian De Landelles, Murrays Beach, NSW

Great new format

I'd like to say a big thank you for the new format Canberra Times, which arrived today. I just finished reading it from cover to cover in the sun, and the ease and enjoyment of doing so has increased 100 per cent. Great decision!

V. Walker, Yarralumla

I like the new layout; you've all done a great job. I especially like the absence of online comments on the letters page. I could never work out why people commenting online could hide behind anonymity, when everyone else had to give phone number and full home address!

Jane Craig, Holt

Newsroom blues

Thank you, Ian Warden, for your walk down memory lane, "Panorama and the Daily Miracle" (July 15).

However, one simply cannot fail to comment on the caption under the photo of the lines of type being manipulated by a compositor (of whose ranks I was once one) and indeed not by a "typesetter".

Said lines of type were the product of linotype operators, who, with some licence, could be referred to as "typesetters" today.

However, Warden's faux pas invokes fond memories of the regular "blues" between those in "production", ("comps" and "lino operators") and the "journos", particularly the dreaded sub-editor.

While Warden relies on the New Testament for his reference, may I politely refer him to the Old Testament book of Esther, chapter nine verse 28, "that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation".

Christ Longhurst, Jerrabomberra, NSW

Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message field, not as an attached file. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610.

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