‘Colonial cringe’ attitude decried

Press, 6 April 1989, Page 9

‘Colonial cringe’ attitude decried

By

DAVE WILSON

New Zealanders have been urged to forget their longstanding “colonial cringe” attitude against the quality of local products. • The Minister of External Relations and Trade, Mr Moore, made the comment in Christchurch yesterday, saying New Zealand had the ability and the manufacturing products to compete with the best in the world. “On my travels overseas I find that New Zealand companies are more respected internationally than they are at home.” In officially opening the Southern Machinery Show in the King Edward Barracks, Mr Moore said New Zealanders must revise their attitudes towards the impact of new technology on jobs. "Too many people are transfixed by the outdated and unfounded fear that new technology costs jobs. “The reality is that every technological advance creates new types of jobs where minds are more important than muscle.” The Minister told exhibitors at the three-day machinery show that New Zealand should not attempt to compete on international markets against low-wage countries such as Taiwan.

“We can use technology and compete at the highest point to aim for products that the best the world can produce.”

He said it made sense for New Zealand to concentrate on what it made well, and look elsewhere for goods it could not make as well, or could buy more cheaply from another supplier. “We looked to overseas suppliers for things that are best made here at home. It was a ‘colonial cringe’ attitude where people believed because a bottle of wine had a French label, it had to be better than anything made here, which is not so.” Some of that attitude persisted, in spite of international proof of the quality of locally-made products. The Southern Machinery Show will be open to the public until 6 p.m. tomorrow.