PUBLIC OR PRIVATE

Press, 21 November 1987, Page 22

PUBLIC OR PRIVATE

By

WHIM WHAM

‘There is a substantial difference between companies owned by the State and those under the effective stimulus of being listed on the sharemarket, where anyone who thinks they can do better can kick you out’—Mr Alan Gibbs, Forestry Corporation chairman ‘Wha sups wi* the de’il heeds a lang spoon.’—Scots proverb.

How faceless is the Bureaucrat Who manages the Public Sector! How friendly, and familiar, is Your private Company Director?— He’s got a Face, he looks more Human, \. Especially if S/HE’S a Woman, When State-owned Enterprises lose, The Taxpayers can’t sell their Shares — Or change the Government as quickly As private Companies change Theirs — So quickly sometimes, They can’t tell you Who last owned Whom, or What they sell you!

I was the Chairman of my Board, Alas! We weren’t the best Achievers — They kicked Us out, Alas again! How much was left for the Receivers? Such short, sharp Answers don’t await The Cash-flow Prpblems of the State.

Sir — you old simplistic Cynic! What are They trying to sell Us. now? Their Private and their Public Sectors Look very much the Same, sontfmw — Millions tor Billions) changing HancH? Sticking to Few -r- that’s how It stands.