I refer to the letter from Rolf Tsui, of Adelaide (South China Morning Post, October 23), regarding Saturday's referendum to decide Australia's constitutional future. Mr Tsui indicated that the constitutional monarchy was a system that was more appropriate 100 years ago. Well I seem to recall that up until the 1960s Australian prime ministers were still describing themselves as 'British to the boot and heel'. Today in Australia 70 per cent of the population are still of UK descent. I wonder how many of them think that the Queen is elitist, sexist and discriminatory. Prince Charles stated that he wishes to be 'defender of the faiths' as opposed to exclusive defender of the Anglican church alone. Regarding the expression 'Pom', Mr Tsui may like to know that this comes from the Royal Navy prison ships 'prisoners of mother England' which was the name given to those people taken to new colonies of the day and therefore cannot really describe the people who were left behind in the 'old world'. No one is doubting Australia's ability to be a nation. However, I believe that the monarchy provides a very stable, suitable, politically impartial, traditional figurehead uniting peoples from many Commonwealth countries. NICK POOLE Braemar Hill
