23 May 2002
Christian Heritage must give a bouquet to the government for its part in our achieving the lowest unemployment figures
since the early eighties, if the figures reflect reality.
By not decreasing tariffs they have allowed our exporters to take full advantage of the low exchange rate. By not
removing tariffs they have also countered the ‘Big Business’ strategy accepted by the previous Labour and National
governments, of making us compete with low tax low wage manufacturing in Asia. A strategy that lowered our manufacturing
sector wage rates and standard of living in US$ terms while the internationally mobile professions fled New Zealand to
work in countries where standards of living are protected.
Christian Heritage in parliament will strengthen the stand of those, reject direct competition with low wage economies
and focus our hopes for economic growth on skills education in the productive sector and reduction in compliance costs
for small businesses.
END