British symbol inapt in modern Australia Christopher Smith and John Burns (Letters,   November 6) appear to believe that everyone has or should have a positive attitude towards the Union Jack flag because, as Christopher and John see it, it is a symbol of all that is good and true in this world. 
Unfortunately for the very many Australians who are not of English descent, it has past associations with anti- democratic policies, dispossession, cruelty, imperial arrogance, injustice and racism - in Australia, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and even parts of the British Isles. There is no place for it in the symbols used to represent a modern, progressive post-colonial Australia.
While Australia adopted elements of British law and political systems, we have long had very effective and uniquely Australian legal and governance systems, and an economy and society forged by our own efforts, particularly since World WarII, when we were saved by one of those dreadful republics. It is what we ourselves have made that makes Australia attractive to immigrants, not the faded and dubious glories of British heritage.
Jim Adamson, Flynn Westside a fizzer After reading the Canberra Times article "Andrew Barr talks up Westside container village visitor numbers as costs top $1million", I thought I should head over there to have a look. At 3.30pm on a sunny Saturday, about 10 potential customers and about another 10 or so staff waiting to sell something. How incredibly unvibrant, unattractive and unexciting and all that for only a little over $1million.
Anyhow now I have been there twice ... first and last time all rolled into one.
Roger Brown, Rivett