tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post7766088512924147192..comments2024-03-29T03:41:12.499+13:00Comments on Bowalley Road: Climate Changers: Otago's Foreign Policy School Celebrates 50 Years.Chris Trotterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-22076697452129015152015-07-04T22:44:12.886+12:002015-07-04T22:44:12.886+12:00I know it only tangentially touches the subject (n...I know it only tangentially touches the subject (no it doesn't) but isn't it true, we punch above our weight sometimes.<br />As did a team of mostly 'unknowns' to be the best in the world today I reckon. They would give the ABs a close shave. <br />Politically does this parallel? Yes of course. Labour can do a Highlanders if it gets a team together that has the strength and passion to line up the country behind them. It's part pack animal and part good tactics (policy too of course) and for a while your opponents have done it very well. The tide will turn. I may be a Tory but first I am a democrat and NZer first. One team winning all the time, like my Crusaders is great for me, but not for the game or country.<br />Charles Enoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-84268921964896775652015-07-02T13:34:26.049+12:002015-07-02T13:34:26.049+12:00It always seems to me that Foreign Affairs or MFAT...It always seems to me that Foreign Affairs or MFAT has a rather simple and not very brave view of NZ and its economy. In the 1960s and 1970s there was a desperation to maintain maximum access to the British and European market, as any too rapid change away from our agricultural and then British connection, seemed to be perceived as too challenging for the NZ population and its political stability. Many British conservative MPs actually thought NZ was being far too indulged for its own good. Even today the aim of MFAT and Tim Grosser seems to maximise bulk milk and milkpowder sails to large markets such as China and India and in past it was percieved Russia would be the third destination for milk sales. Simple bulk sales and the easiest transactions seemed the aim.<br /> Although much is made of tourism receipts, New Zealand's tourist development since the 1960s has been woefully limited and always based on the fear that anything too exciting or challenging in entertainments and workforce requirements was far too challenging for the natives. In the 1960s a national system or modern rail and DMU railcars running into the key tourist areas Northland, Rotorua, Gisborne, West Coast etc would of been of minimal cost, say $10 million for rail equipment and $5 million annual subsidy- but was rejected on the basis of the general prejudice of the population and Labour politicians that rail was low class, uncomfortable and various prejudices of the supposed limitations of the gauge. Even now the rail system remains largely intact and it is scandlous that there is not a passenger rail service daily to Kerikeri/ Opua, Rotorua, Tauranga, New Plymouth and a couple of times a day to Napier, Greymouth, PIcton and Dunedin.The real extra costs would be minimal to provide the essentials of a civilised country.<br /> In terms of defence I have never seen any evidence that such Diplomatic alumini like Frank Corner had much understanding of how New Zealand actually fitted into the world view of the UK and USA. Defence purchases and equipment since 1966 has been seen largely or partially related to trade relations and the idea that New Zealand actually made any serious or real contribution other than diplomatic or political seems to end about the end of the confrontation with Indonesia in 1966 and Vietnam turning sour in 1967-68. The nuclear issue in 1984-86 revealed Foreign Affairs ignorant of such basic facts that all frigates and destroyers in the RN and USN constituted an indivisible second line of nuclear deterrence, and that tactical nuclear weapons remained critical at that time for deterrence and effective anti submarine capability particulary for the RN. The possiblities for negotiation rested on the fact that there was no need for New Zealand to accept visits from nuclear attack fleet submarines, aircraft carriers or battleships- but any attempt to restrict general access for destroyers and frigates was unworkable. In law one of the first thing looked at, is the title of the legislation. The USS Buchanan was a GMD Guided Missile destroyer, a higher category of ship than 4/5 of the USN visitors of previous 83/4 year that were frigates, guided missile frigates or FFG-7s.<br /> The bumbling handling of the issue was elementary and probably anticipated, and markedly lacking in courage as MFAT in truth were entirely lacking in wholehearted support for either nuclear free, nuclear deterrence or realpolitik.<br /> Today New Zealand continues to grandstand on insolvable issues, like the Middle East and Climate change while completely failing to developing our cities as world class playgrounds for the world and continues an obsessional reliance on dairying against environmental and diversified trade interests. Conversions should have been stopped years ago along with the quest for fullfilling bulk milk markets. Lamb access to markets should be an equal priority as much more consistent with NZ environs and future markets.Robert Milesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-91563833511295540062015-06-30T16:46:29.213+12:002015-06-30T16:46:29.213+12:00And what now, I wondwe?And what now, I wondwe?peteswriteplacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04474922953916383101noreply@blogger.com