Asset sales lite Auckland prostitute’

Press, 28 September 1988, Page 6

Asset sales lite Auckland prostitute’

By

f DAVE WILSON

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bolger, yesterday compared the Government’s sale of State assets to foreign interests to the attitude of an Auckland prostitute.

“Like a Queen Street hooker, the Government isn’t too fussy on where we hawk our wares — just so long as we’re paid.” In an address to the Christchurch Rotary Club, Mr Bolger accused the Government of prostituting New Zealand’s nationhood. The sale of assets, particularly to Australian interests, represented. the sale of New Zealand’s sovereignty, Privatisation and racial division within New Zealand formed the theme of Mr Bolger’s address, and he said the news that the Government favoured Qantas to buy 25 per cent of Air New Zealand signalled the start of another round of asset sales. “In the next round, New Zealand’s assets will be surrendered to foreign buyers, and not to fellow New Zealanders.” He described the sale of 25 per cent of Air New

Zealand as an entree for the main course, “The history of civil aviation over the past two or three years has been littered with craven backdowns by the Government. “Labour let Ansett into New Zealand to compete on the profitable main trunk routes, then it allowed Ansett New Zealand to become 100 per cent Australian owned, now Qantas has been invited to purchase a quarter of our international carrier. “What concessions has New Zealand or Air New Zealand received from this bargaining? Absolutely none.” The decision to sell the Shipping Corporation indicated that Australia would soon control New Zealand shipping. “The Government must be told that C.E.R. was about relations with Australia, not a sell-out to them.”