The snubbing of the Hutt River Province
March 7th 2007 09:20
The following are two letters I sent to publishing groups who published maps of Australia that failed to acknowledge the geographical existence of the Hutt River Province. I found this political decision to be a rather appalling choice, especially since the map-making companies in questions are supposed to be objective about their trade. I sent similar letters to a few other map-making companies too (aside from the ones posted below), none replied.
Dear Octopus Publishing Group
I am writing to make a complaint about an Atlas you publish - the Philips Atlas, EAN 9780540080748.
No matter how hard I’ve looked I have been unable to find a whole country in your Atlas! You include the Vatican and Monaco in your maps, yet seem to deign the Hutt River Province as completely non-existent! This principality has been around since 1970! And it’s 40 times bigger than Monaco! Yet I see it nowhere within your pages.
Why is the Hutt River Province snubbed so? It is an independent country and is exempt from Australian law and taxation and must therefore be recognized. Please amend this grievous mistake in your Atlas.
Regards, Luke Bartolo.
*****
Dear Hema Maps
I am writing to you in regards to your excellent maps and the great service you provide to many all over this country. However, I feel that you have made a rather offensive and objectionable omission in your otherwise reputable products.
This is a letter of complaint regarding the lack of inclusion of the Hutt River Province in your wares, one in particular being that with the EAN 9781865002507. This is a principality that is 40 times larger than the country of Monaco! And yet you seem to snub it completely. I realize the Australian Government refuses to acknowledge the existence of the Province despite not extending it’s laws and taxes over it, but I feel this is a poor excuse to ignore such a large area within our borders. I was always under the impression that atlases and maps should pride themselves on being as objective as possible, presenting just the facts and the geography itself, and any political borders that have withstood their claims – and the Hutt River Province has such borders, borders hardened by 36 years of fierce independence.
Regards, Luke Bartolo.
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