"Put your clothes back on" urge Greens

The almost certain prospect that President Clinton will impose tariffs on New Zealand lamb exports exposes the foolishness of the New Zealand government's free-trade policies says the Green Party.

"Unlike our government, the US administration is clearly not prepared to sacrifice the livelihoods of its own people for the sake of the free-trade ideal," Green Party Co-Leader Rod Donald said.

"This is a tough lesson for the free-trade zealots."

Meat New Zealand Chairman John Acland has asked (Christchurch Press 25.5.99) "What price should the New Zealand farmer pay for the government's free-market philosophies? We've gone to the party, we've taken off all our clothes and we're standing here naked. The Prime Minister's got to do her bit now."

"Mr Acland appears to be implying that Prime Minister Jenny Shipley should also take off her clothes. I doubt such a rash action would improve our international trading situation and could even have the opposite effect," Rod Donald said.

"Instead I urge Mr Acland and his farming colleagues to put their clothes back on.

"Other countries are already bemused by New Zealand's simplistic approach to trade. With the winter of the free-trade era fast approaching it's time the New Zealand economy protected itself instead of remaining exposed to the icy blast of the global casino economy," he said.