tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18947592.post6228270838647421460..comments2023-11-06T00:01:30.085+13:00Comments on New Zeal: Franks on FijiTrevor Loudonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17040453691836232676noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18947592.post-16424773974536859332009-01-16T21:43:00.000+13:002009-01-16T21:43:00.000+13:00I do wish someone would ask Mr Frunks about the bu...I do wish someone would ask Mr Frunks about the business in that lift in Moscow all those years ago.<BR/><BR/>At least one of the parties present in said lift is still alive and well chaps.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18947592.post-59655696353120063022009-01-16T16:11:00.000+13:002009-01-16T16:11:00.000+13:00You're quite right STC. If we'd never opened the t...You're quite right STC. <BR/><BR/>If we'd never opened the trade gates to China we wouldn't have this problem now.Trevor Loudonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17040453691836232676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18947592.post-73596954012212545262009-01-16T14:10:00.000+13:002009-01-16T14:10:00.000+13:00I'm sorry, but when the west opened trade with...I'm sorry, but when the west opened trade with China was the point at which we lost any measure of control over that state's destiny.<BR/><BR/>In return for stabilising the totaltarian regime in China, we've had less confrontation in Asia, cheaper consumer goods and the near complete undermining of the middle class which we are just seeing come to its logical end: America forced to choose between subsidising its industries beyond what is economically feasible, even regardless of whether it is economically desirable or giving up on middle class jobs in manufacturing. In New Zealand we no longer have that problem: we have almost no manufacturing to speak of and what little there is is in the process of either moving offshore (F&P) or folding (the baby buggy company just recently).<BR/><BR/>It just seems daft to me to talk about a New Zealand realpolitik approach to Bainimarama in order to stop the advance of China when we are the ones giving the antagonist (China) the power to take advantage of the situation.Moneohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01733709291703816133noreply@blogger.com