How can this possibly be?
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More jobs lost?
How can this be?
At a time when an entire city (Christchhurch) needs to be rebuilt, how can we be laying off sawmill workers? How can there possibly be a downturn in construction???
This is simply too bizarre to comprehend and one wonders what the heck our government is doing??? Are they so pre-occupied with RWC photo ops that they have no clue what is happwening in their own back yard?
Eurocell sawmill site manager Todd McIlvride has stated,
“It was hoped the Christchurch rebuild would help boost the timber industry.
However it was not known when that would start in earnest.
“They have got their insurance issues to get through, and the ground there needs to stop shaking before they will give insurance to new houses. That’s obviously the hold-up down there.
“Certainly there will be a lot of wood needed down there, but how far away is that is the million dollar question.“
It seems remarkably short sighted that Gerry Brownlee, the Minister for Earthquake Recovery, has not implemented plans to stock-pile building materials. Waiting for reconstruction to eventually kick-off (whenever that might be) to then place orders for sawn timber will simply create a bottle-neck and shortages.
It is mind-boggling that – at a time when we will be needing skilled operators and sawmills to be operating at full capacity – that we are actually down-sizing our timber-processing capabilities? Is there no one with an ounce of common sense in the Beehive who can foresee the inevitable result?!
No, I suspect there is not.
They seem to be too busy, watching rugby. Or in John Key’s case, brandishing unsigned emails sent by unknown persons, making unsubstantiated allegations.
If anyone wonders what a hands-off government is like, where the “free market” is left to address critical problems: we are looking at one now. If National was any more “hands off”, it would be hovering in mid-air.
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+++ Updates +++
And it seems I am not alone in my opinions on this matter,
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There is a proactive role to be played here by government. A “hands-off”, “minimalist government” approach simply will not do. Rebuildimng a shattered city demands the full resources and powers of the State – not the fragmented, ad hoc “invisible hand” of the free market.
If the National-led government does not comprehend this simple truism, then they need to stand aside. This demands more than a “smile and wave” Prime Minister.
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Further Updates
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Listen to more on Radio NZ’s Checkpoint
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More than ever, this is another instance of the “free market” destroying people’s lives; damaging the fabric of our social cohesion; and impacting on our economy.
Unfortunately, New Zealanders have either not voted for any meaningful change – or have voted for more-of-the-same in the National Party.
Unless National adopts a more hands-on management of the economy, we are headed for a 1991-style major recession. Unemployment at that time rose to over 10%.
Can we do it? Bloody oath we can! And here’s how.
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Some other recent job losses
English positive despite job losses
Key fails to quell Lower Hutt job losses
Christchurch earthquake job losses dole ‘disaster’
School support staff face job losses in Christchurch
Thirty KiwiRail jobs on the line in capital
Jobs threatened by Alliance meatworks shut down
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26 October 2011 at 2:05 am | #1Lies, Damned Lies, and National Party Campaign Advertising « Frankly Speaking…
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5 November 2011 at 10:51 am | #2John Key – Show me the jobs! « Frankly Speaking…
