When I read the letters to the editor I wonder whether many of the letters are represented by the 8 per cent of Australians who don’t agree with the national survey.

Minority and pressure groups obviously can have their say, but they must temper their attitudes knowing that they are utterly in the minority with a lot of their views and sentiments.

Elections tend to bring out all the minor parties which in some cases hold the major parties and the majority views to ransom.

Some people never fail to err on the side of gloom, insinuating they are the only people with a social conscience.

In 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville noticed what might be called the paradox of equality: as social conditions become more equal, the more people resent the inequalities that remain.

I think the 8 per cent of people unhappy with the Australian way of life should keep this in mind when they write to newspapers.

— S. ROSS,

Corryong