Pipe organs
IN reference to Stefan Boscia’s article on Peter Schultz’s life-long love of pipe organs (Sunday Examiner, May 13), I share his passion for pipe organ music, (if not his talents) and his concern for the future of these magnificent musical wonders, and would be very sad to see them fade into obscurity through disuse.
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Launceston has many wonderful old buildings, to give clues to future generations of our early beginning here, including our old churches, with pipe organs in situ.
We respect the hardships and tragedies of the past; the positive aspects must be remembered as well.
It has been said that music is healing and therapeutic, therefore it is quite possible that the music provided by these old church organs played a significant part in giving the people the courage and strength to endure these hardships.
I would like to express my thanks to Peter Schultz for his delightful performance on the Albert Hall organ on Sunday, May 27, and his patience in explaining the operational complexities of the instrument.
The audience was enthusiastic, and if there were more opportunities for people to hear these organs, I find it hard to believe the interest would not increase.
It is good for young people to be encouraged in their choice of music, such as guitars, but I hope there will always be some who fall in love with the pipe organ and all its possible variations of sound, and determine to master its mysteries.
There must be room for all music genre.
Marjorie Fisher, Youngtown.
Bill Shorten’s budget reply
GORDON Thurlow (The Examiner, Letters, May 28), is mistaken.
The opposition leader does not claim a way to (extract) a lot more cash from big business without any detrimental effects on our economy.
This government trumpets record employment growth despite their tax plan, in particular for big business, not being fully implemented and there being no evidence whatsoever that there will be additional employment or higher wages as a consequence.
The cost of implementation of the balance of the tax plan is $80 billion.
This is the revenue which is currently being raised, and will be forgone if the government reduces the tax rate for large corporates.
Labor believes there is a fairer and better way to address taxation reform – giving low and medium income earners tax relief while still investing in health and education.
Ross Hart, Bass Labor MHR.
Money pressure
THERE are many charities that rely heavily on donations from the general population to continue their good works.
Likewise, politicians and the political parties depend on donations, mainly from big business to push for legislation to support their ends.
Remember four years ago when mining lobby groups called on the Abbott government to stop people giving tax deductible donations to charities?
These are the same industries that are the big polluters and nature takers.
In 2015 these industries made representations to prevent advocacy efforts from charities.
No effort on their part to cease advocacy, was there?
At the same time, the Coalition government tried to prevent environmental groups from challenging government decisions.
So much for their ideas on democracy.
Two years later, they again tried to restrict advocacy activities of charitable groups and to stifle our ability to donate.
No such restriction on the deep pocket brigade.
We should all raise our voices to say “Hands off our charities”.
Remember this on July 28.
Bill Carney, Riverside.
Anglican Church
THE Synod was to the Anglican Church and to the priceless Tasmanian heritage, what the damming of the Franklin and Gordon rivers would have been to the wilderness, if the proposals for the sale of churches are approved.
There is a wonderful hymn based on Psalm 26: "We love the place O'God, Wherein Thine honour dwells.”
It will be replaced with "we sell the place".
There must be a better solution.
Malcolm Scott, Newstead.
Ex-Mayors
KEEP an eye on Tasmanian ex-mayors, they have a habit of causing political surprises.
Ed Sianski, West Moonah.
What goes round
NOT so long ago the debate through federal parliament was, “should Australian workers be entitled to paternity leave”.
One of the loudest voices condemning such frivolities was the then deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce.
He now demands 11 weeks paternity leave, because the kitchen is getting too hot?
Wally Reynolds, Perth.
Accolades
ACCOLADES must go to Woolworths and Buckby Motors and all others for their contributions to save the Launceston Christmas Parade for 2018.
Trust the good old Launceston spirit to come to the fore again.
These good folk have stepped up to help save an event for mums, dads and especially all the children of Launceston and help put smiles on their faces at Christmas.
David Parker, West Launceston.
St Paul's Church
I WRITE in response to Kenneth Gregson's letter (The Examiner, June 2) regarding the whereabouts of St Paul's Church.
This is now owned by Southern Cross Care and stands in the grounds of Ainslie Aged Care Complex at Low Head.
It is known as St Paul's By The Sea and is used from time to time for weddings and funerals.
Trish Anderson, George Town.
