Banks are the only ones benefiting from end of cash economy

Bob Katter and Caitlin Fitzsimmons are right,cash is legal tender (“For love of money,I agree with Bob Katter”,March 3). However,where do we get this legal tender from these days? Bank branches have vanished,ATMs are becoming scarcer. Driving to another suburb to find an ATM costs money on petrol,to withdraw my own savings. Use a credit card to pay and the retailer slugs me with a fee to pay with my own money on which I might be paying interest and increased prices. Truly a circular economy,except it’s an ever-growing eddy that the owner of that money is kept out of,but only banks are taking millions off.
Manbir Singh Kohli,Pemulwuy

Credit card payments are not just more convenient for business,they often work out less expensive overall. The merchant service fee often works out to be cheaper than paying staff wages for the hours needed to count takings every day,organise banking and order change. With the current slim profit margins in theatres and shops it’s a simple economic reality.Susan Beynon,Mosman

Foster support

Foster carers calling out for more support from government,and not only in monetary terms,indicate a genuine concern for the children in their care (“Foster carers beg system for support”,March 3). Yet,the minister blames the previous government for the failings of the system and the department makes glib pronouncements on priorities. For how long can this situation go on? It’s up to this government now.Lyn Langtry,East Ryde

Three items

Here are three more essential items for your bush survival kit:a cheap butane cigarette lighter for lighting fires;a stainless-steel mirror for signalling search-aircraft during the day and a fish hook with a bit of clear filament line for catching a gourmet meal (“‘Obviously lost...SORRY’:when an SMS can’t end a bush ordeal”,March 3).Allen Greer,Sydney

Bird bridge

If the new glass walkway at Marrickville is a bird strike threat,I’m wondering how many are being collected by the massive glass palace that is Sydney Modern (“Outcry over bird deaths at modern glass bridge”,March 3)? Given its position within the Botanic Garden,I hope this is being monitored and there will be a quick response to any injuries. Our planners and designers must give more consideration to impacts on the natural environment,then maybe we can reverse the decades of decline in our animal populations.Eva Coulam,Middle Cove

Writing tips

It is not surprising that students’ handwriting is now so poor and slow (“Bad handwriting? Stay After School”,March 3). We should once again,when young children first pick up a pen or pencil,teach them how to hold it between the thumb and second finger with the first finger along the top and slanting it while writing. This will make it so much easier to use and reduce or eliminate writer’s cramp. Next,why not reintroduce cursive (running) writing as before,in year 3. This writing means that the pen only comes off the paper at the end of words,allowing for a smooth and quicker flow so that the words can keep up with the mind.Pam Nankivell,Parkes

The problems faced by St Andrew’s Cathedral School are widespread. Correct pencil-hold and posture can be taught explicitly in Kindergarten,Year 1 and Year 2;then cursive reinforced through Years 3,4,5 and 6. Handwriting lessons can complement other classroom subjects,as you can write about anything as long as correct letter-formation is reinforced. Usually in high school the student develops their own handwriting style. There is only one way to correctly hold a pencil or pen. If used,there will be no cramps or sore arms. The deterioration of handwriting began in the last century and until more attention is afforded in the formative years,students will continue to have problems when they need greater fluency as they progress through their education.Kim Bockos,Oatlands

Bus advertising

As a resident of the east,I have deep sympathy for bus users in Western Sydney with no bus shelters (“Waiting for a bus has become a health hazard”,March 3). Although the article said the east has many more shelters,most of them do not provide shelter from the sun or rain,obstruct views of on-coming buses and restrict pedestrian movement because they primarily function as an advertising billboard.Simon Bartlett,Coogee

I frequently travel on buses in Sydney’s inner west. There are bus shelters on many of the routes I use. However,most shelters provide no relief from the heat. As the roofs are transparent,when the air descends,the interior becomes torrid like an oven on “high”. The only solution for potential
passengers is to go outside to the back of the shelter and crouch on the footpath.Carolyn Gerrish,Dulwich Hill