From Paul Kriedemann
May I take issue with Feedback over the piece on redback spiders
(13 November)?
Overall, an interesting read about a remarkable creature (now
establishing in Japan as well as in Belgium), but sadly marred by the author’s
bias in the closing paragraph.
Quote: “Of course, the spiders, like many colonials . . .” According to my
copy of the Macquarie Dictionary, redback spiders are indigenous to
Australia, so that linking them to “many colonials” is both offensive and
incorrect. We ceased being colonials in 1901, although we do remain a
constitutional monarchy.
Weston Creek, ACT
