From Melbourne
21.8.85
Dear Alan
It’s
not hard to think of you and events in South Africa for over the past few weeks
there has been an enormous coverage in our newspapers on happenings over
there. Almost every day South Africa has
appeared on the front page of one of the newspapers and it’s hard to think of
one radio bulletin in recent weeks that didn’t mention South Africa. Bishop
Tutu’s voice is now familiar to Australians and this week we even had Trevor
Huddleston (Anglican anti-apartheid campaigner) in Melbourne on holiday and
naturally he got wide coverage. Not to
mention of course the proposed cricket tour.
Whether
all this means that Australians are better informed is problematical. Most
people, as you know, are pretty emotional about South Africa and the views are
often mixed-up. I think you have received some newspaper cuttings and I have
enclosed some more to show the amount of coverage and the divergence of views.
I do
think that the much awaited speech by Mr Botha was a disappointment. He had the
chance to kick a goal but fumbled the ball. South Africa missed the chance for
some reforms just after the war when it appeared that the whites were receptive
to change. Smuts was too complacent and the result was the coming to
power of the Nationals in 1948 – downhill ever since.
I hope
that the present situation is not a re-run for I do not think that changes can
be long delayed. From this distance it appears that unless some reforms are
commenced the outlook is rather grim.
However
the changes will have to come from within, and the grand standing by Australian
politicians is pretty meaningless.
At
least you have plenty to occupy your mind for things are certainly lively over
there, although the violence is certainly something you could do without.
In
Australia politics is pretty dull at present. Last night was budget night and
it was a big yawn. The economy is in fairly good shape but inflation is
starting to edge up again and there has been only minimal change to
unemployment. The Australian dollar of course has slumped badly this year but
not to the same extent as the Rand.
However
we still manage to eat three times a day and live a reasonable life.
Biggest
blow this week was the thrashing the Australian cricket team got in the fifth
test. Serves them right for having only one Victorian in the team!
We have
just about reached the finals in the football season and with two games to go
Footscray are sitting in second place. Essendon seem clear favorites but it
should be an interesting final series. We have tickets again and I suppose I
shall front up but I don’t know for how many more years.
When
the finals are over we have plenty of work to do at the house at Trentham as we
have had a carpenter replace all the windows and do other renovations. Means
that we have to repaint – mostly inside so we can take our time. Unfortunately
coincides with grass cutting season.
Lois leaves on Sunday to spend the school
holidays with Pam in Tonga. Will be her first trip overseas. She will be going
via New Zealand both ways and calling at Fiji.
The
school holidays are not the same in Tonga and the school will be operating for
one week while Lois is there. That will give her the chance to see the workings
of a school in a third –world country and she will possibly take a class or
two.
She
intends to take an interest in the Home Economics section but will get a shock
at the facilities – two stoves in a school of almost 1000 girls. And people in
the western suburbs of Melbourne think they are deprived. It’s all a matter of
relativity.
Our own
business future has been placed in some jeopardy as the Sunshine Council has
adopted a plan to re-model the central business area. The plan (if carried out)
would mean the demolition of our factory and other adjacent buildings. We
mightn’t mind that if the compensation cheque was large enough and we could
then retire. The difficulty is that the timing is uncertain so until then we
have to carry on.
Love
to Lorna and the girls.
Dad
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