Yes, the wardrobe is beckoning me----indeed it is imploring me to lighten up its load. The sounds of my clothes battling for space and yet, I must say goodbye to about half of the residents of that overcrowded wardrobe. It is time to move on and get rid of those bulky over-sized shirts, jeans and tops. Sorry my dear loyal 'accoutrements,' but you really don't suit me any more; you just don't fit. You make me look like a man who has fallen on hard times and robbed the local clotheslines in order to keep attired. I won't throw you into the rubbish bins. You deserve better than that, so it's off to various places where you can have another life. You are after all not all threadbare and lacking in personality; you have the capability to keep others warm and decent. I shall think of you as I make friends with newer models; nothing too pretentious, just good down to earth items that will accompany me on the remainder of my new journey. So, farewell to the old and bring in the new! Losing 27 kilogrammes is enough to bring about changes in many aspects of my life. Feel free to contact me, my dear readers, if you wish to 'chat' about 'your' journey down the road to better health. Just hook into my website by typing in www.authorneilcoleman.com in the address bar at the top left hand corner of the window and follow the links.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Bill English says that the Government is going to close the gap between rich and poor---Yeah right!
Bill English must take the people in NZ for idiots, particularly those who he describes as poor. He quotes the list of things his Government has done and will be doing. I shall be watching that space to see the action that will lift people out of poverty, ill health and poor housing conditions. What he says is 'extra' spending on the part of Government most probably comes from other areas of Government spending in areas that are already suffering.
His words are just a cynical off the cuff load of patronizing crap. His Government is not about to offend their friends in industry, the property tycoons or any other sector that benefits from the National Party's continuing in power. I doubt very much that he is going to emulate the stated aims of his friends in the Conservative Party in the UK who say they are going after the big businesses who pay little or no tax. We are a small economy but I am sure the same cosy big business/Government relationships exist in New Zealand, just on a smaller scale.
Do I have any faith in the NZ Labour Party and their friends? NO---once they achieve power again, no doubt the 'reality' of NZ's huge debts will dictate a watering down of their public statements about what they wish to achieve. That is a fact of life for any Government. Policies in the real world are usually a shadow-version of espoused political philosophy. As for the 'also-rans'---they can say what they like, because their chances of being in power are remote to say the least. At best, the can sidle on up to one of the two main parties and have a small influence on the Government of the day; the exception of this, would be the ACT Party driving the initiative for Charter Schools.
So when Bill English plays the good witch from 'wherever,' take his words with a dose of ---'What a load of shite.'
His words are just a cynical off the cuff load of patronizing crap. His Government is not about to offend their friends in industry, the property tycoons or any other sector that benefits from the National Party's continuing in power. I doubt very much that he is going to emulate the stated aims of his friends in the Conservative Party in the UK who say they are going after the big businesses who pay little or no tax. We are a small economy but I am sure the same cosy big business/Government relationships exist in New Zealand, just on a smaller scale.
Do I have any faith in the NZ Labour Party and their friends? NO---once they achieve power again, no doubt the 'reality' of NZ's huge debts will dictate a watering down of their public statements about what they wish to achieve. That is a fact of life for any Government. Policies in the real world are usually a shadow-version of espoused political philosophy. As for the 'also-rans'---they can say what they like, because their chances of being in power are remote to say the least. At best, the can sidle on up to one of the two main parties and have a small influence on the Government of the day; the exception of this, would be the ACT Party driving the initiative for Charter Schools.
So when Bill English plays the good witch from 'wherever,' take his words with a dose of ---'What a load of shite.'
Indonesia and New Zealand 'talk trade.'
Trade mission eyes up Indonesia opportunities
7:38 PM Saturday May 18, 2013
A 52-strong trade mission is flying to Indonesia this weekend for two weeks of intensive briefings and meetings.
It is being led by Maurice Williamson and Sir Ken Stevens, who's chairman of Export New Zealand.
Representatives of the food and beverage, education, geothermal and banking sectors are going, along with a large group from the aviation industry.
Sir Ken says there's huge potential for aviation in the Indonesian market.
"We're following on in the footsteps of the Prime Minister just about 12 months ago so this is well considered by the Indonesians and well targeted by our people so we're looking to do some good business up there."
Sir Ken says the mission presents a viable and formidable force to increase trade.
- Newstalk ZB
Apart from the times when New Zealand had issues over Borneo (Kalimantan) and East Timor (and more recent protests by some in NZ over the treatment of indigenous Irian Jaya people) the relationship between NZ and Indonesia has been strong. We have had links in the geothermal, educational, finance and a growing trade sector. This makes so much sense as Indonesia is a close neighbour. We both stand to gain and this weekend's announcement that a large team of officials and sector area representatives are heading to Indonesia for two weeks of discussion must be seen as a growing trend. At times NZ will have to take a back step when it comers to those issues that still cause some discontent in NZ, mush like we have swallowed our sensitivities as per the China trade. The economic relationship between New Zealand and Indonesia makes sense also in that it is never good to have all of our eggs in one basket, that is with China. That situation has come about as NZ turns its back on the UK and the Euro/USA market. Whilst our trade remains strong with those nations, it must aid our overall economic performance by 'spreading the risk' as it were.
There will be hooks in our developing relationship, but those can be worked through. Indonesia is an emerging giant on the world scene and it is making real gains on issues that concerned us as evidenced by the sad events in Bangladesh. Indonesia has a large and growing middle-class and it is that group that will drive the moves to improve the lot of those less fortunate. In the past Indonesia has had some of the lowest paid workers in Asia, but that too is changing as the 'trickle down' trend has taken hold. By no means would NZ workers agree to the conditions as they exists in Indonesia now, but there is a gradual improvement in the treatment of Indonesian workers. Politically the Indonesians have become more stable and investment has flowed into the country. It makes sense that NZ is part of this, but on a two-way scale. Indonesians have also invested in NZ. Underlying this burgeoning relationship is the fear of 'fundamentalist Islamists,' and how the Indonesian Government grapples with this very real fear. That is of course an issue that the people and Government of Indonesia have to work out for themselves. After all, they have several centuries of colonialism to recover from and the journey towards a modern nation is one that still has a way to go. We need only to look back into our own history and acknowledge that before we become too critical of our huge friendly near-neighbour. Lets hope that the upcoming 'talks' are beneficial to both nations.
It is being led by Maurice Williamson and Sir Ken Stevens, who's chairman of Export New Zealand.
Representatives of the food and beverage, education, geothermal and banking sectors are going, along with a large group from the aviation industry.
Sir Ken says there's huge potential for aviation in the Indonesian market.
"We're following on in the footsteps of the Prime Minister just about 12 months ago so this is well considered by the Indonesians and well targeted by our people so we're looking to do some good business up there."
Sir Ken says the mission presents a viable and formidable force to increase trade.
- Newstalk ZB
Apart from the times when New Zealand had issues over Borneo (Kalimantan) and East Timor (and more recent protests by some in NZ over the treatment of indigenous Irian Jaya people) the relationship between NZ and Indonesia has been strong. We have had links in the geothermal, educational, finance and a growing trade sector. This makes so much sense as Indonesia is a close neighbour. We both stand to gain and this weekend's announcement that a large team of officials and sector area representatives are heading to Indonesia for two weeks of discussion must be seen as a growing trend. At times NZ will have to take a back step when it comers to those issues that still cause some discontent in NZ, mush like we have swallowed our sensitivities as per the China trade. The economic relationship between New Zealand and Indonesia makes sense also in that it is never good to have all of our eggs in one basket, that is with China. That situation has come about as NZ turns its back on the UK and the Euro/USA market. Whilst our trade remains strong with those nations, it must aid our overall economic performance by 'spreading the risk' as it were.
There will be hooks in our developing relationship, but those can be worked through. Indonesia is an emerging giant on the world scene and it is making real gains on issues that concerned us as evidenced by the sad events in Bangladesh. Indonesia has a large and growing middle-class and it is that group that will drive the moves to improve the lot of those less fortunate. In the past Indonesia has had some of the lowest paid workers in Asia, but that too is changing as the 'trickle down' trend has taken hold. By no means would NZ workers agree to the conditions as they exists in Indonesia now, but there is a gradual improvement in the treatment of Indonesian workers. Politically the Indonesians have become more stable and investment has flowed into the country. It makes sense that NZ is part of this, but on a two-way scale. Indonesians have also invested in NZ. Underlying this burgeoning relationship is the fear of 'fundamentalist Islamists,' and how the Indonesian Government grapples with this very real fear. That is of course an issue that the people and Government of Indonesia have to work out for themselves. After all, they have several centuries of colonialism to recover from and the journey towards a modern nation is one that still has a way to go. We need only to look back into our own history and acknowledge that before we become too critical of our huge friendly near-neighbour. Lets hope that the upcoming 'talks' are beneficial to both nations.
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