I’d like to raise questions on a few issues:

1. The idea of pro forma letters being included in the Journal where appropriate is an excellent one (Glen Winters, Aug 00). I would hate to count, I feel extremely guilty about, the number of times I’ve read an important article (in this and other journals) containing a passionate plea for members to "write now to the Prime Minister/Bob Carr/whoever with your concerns" and have not done so. Some people can rattle off a letter quickly and easily – many can’t. I find it stressful to compose such letters because I worry so much about wording and accuracy that it takes an enormous amount of time which I don’t have (1/2 hour to this point of the draft). There must be thousands of people in the same boat.

I find it difficult to accept your statement that there is simply no space in the Journal for pro formas. Surely if an issue is important enough, you make the space – or does our letter writing not really count for much in the long run?

A pro forma letter printed in the Journal is not practical, as you would need to tear or cut it out, thus removing articles printed on the reverse. But, a loose flyer or A4 pro forma inserted in the Journal, like the members’ nights sheet, can be removed, signed, put in an envelope and stamped in 5 minutes flat!

Please consider carefully the level of response this could produce.

2. Rail-link bridge. NPA was represented at a rally a few months back in opposition to a "preferred" bridge option for crossing the Lane Cove River. Since then, a Greens "representative" (?) has made a monstrous offer to support the bridge option as a "trade-off" to preserving Browns Waterhole. Rail-link management now touts this offer as environmental approval, which it most certainly isn’t. Was this an official Greens offer? Does NPA support this offer? If not, what is being done about it, since it puts environment groups in such a bad light?

3. We now hear that recycled paper deteriorates quite rapidly, and that the lifespan of computer disks and CDs is questionable. I was wondering if the NPA has looked into this in relation to the Journal and its archives?

1. We regularly carry campaign flyers as inserts in the Journal for use by activists such as yourself (even postcards) but again there are limits, such as printing costs and the cost of actual insertion.

2. NPA continues to oppose alienation of the national park.

3. We archive copies of the Journal itself – which is on high-quality recycled paper, so far showing no sign of deteriorating – and the supporting files are all on computer, so we should be safe.

Last Tuesday 12 July, I heard on Radio RPH a medical quarter-hour, which said the prevalent cases of lung disease in Britain last century was due to industry and polluted air. The French people across the Channel used to call it the English disease! I am writing this in appreciation of all the great variety of forests and fresh air which we have in Australia. We must certainly keep it up!