Milton job losses shows idiocy of tariff removals
The loss of 54 jobs at a textiles plant in Milton is
directly
related to the removal of tariffs, Alliance
leader Jim Anderton
said.
He's describing the
Government's tariff-removal programme
as 'sheer idiocy,'
and challenging the Government to point
out to APEC
leaders the closure of the textile company as part
of
the full story of tariff removals.
The jobs losses at the
Alliance textiles plant (not related to the Alliance
party)
were announced yesterday.
Jim Anderton says the
rapid removal
of jobs in the heartland is laying waste
to jobs by the tens
of thousands.
'A business of this
size is fundamental to the
future of a town like
Milton.
'Not only does the Shipley-Government
destroy
businesses and jobs by removing tariffs, it then stands
limply on the sidelines without any idea of how to
stimulate
new economic development in Milton to replace
the jobs.
'Not
only is tariff removal destroying tens
of thousands of jobs,
but it is driving New Zealand into
record debt. The country
will spend 7000 million dollars
more overseas this year than
it earns, and our total
overseas debt has topped a hundred
million
dollars.
'When APEC leaders sit down over cocktails
this weekend to discuss free trade, our government has a
responsibili
ty to tell the truth about what has really
happened to our
country through tariff removal. It
should be our role to bear
witness to the costs as well
as the benefits of deregulation.
'When
President
Clinton arrives in the South Island, he shouldn't
just
be shown beautiful golf courses. He should also be shown
the town of Milton and the consequences for working
people
and towns of tariff removal.'
The Alliance
proposes a five
per cent increase in tariffs from
countries other than Australia
as a balance of payments
stabilisation measure. Jim Anderton
says the policy
would also create 26,000 more jobs.