“The Labour/Alliance government announced yesterday that import tariffs will be removed for countries representing only 0.0005 percent of NZ’s imports, and they now expect applause for supporting free trade. Such applause would be premature,” says Libertarianz Leader Peter Cresswell, “until NZ workers can enjoy the benefits of ALL our trading partners being similarly unshackled.”

“Free trade is not only good for exporters from the world’s poorest countries, it is good for New Zealand’s workers,” he says. “Freedom and prosperity go hand in hand. When imported products can be bought by NZ consumers without the extra cost of tariffs added on, then NZers will have more wealth left in their pockets. This added wealth can then be invested in the things New Zealand does well.”

“Investment in new enterprises does not fall from the moon – it must first be withdrawn from other, less productive enterprises. The more productive the new investment, the higher wages can be paid. But restrictive tariffs which protect less productive enterprises act as a restriction on productive new investment – and keep wage rates low.”

“If this government and their trade union partners were truly interested in the welfare of New Zealand’s workers,” says Cresswell, “they would remove tariffs from ALL our other trading partners, and we could enjoy the benefits of increased investment in New Zealand as a consequence.”

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Peter Cresswell Leader, Libertarianz Party (025) 861 927 e-mail: organon@ihug.co.nz

* LIBERTARIANZ * More Freedom * Less Government *

www.libertarianz.org.nz www.freeradical.co.nz

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