How much did that cheap garment you are wearing cost in terms of human life?

We all love to buy cheap clothing and for the most part the clothing comes from China. Labour rates have been very cheap there and workers live and work under a low wage regime and the conditions they work under would at best be described as 'undesirable.' However, these workers would be seen as 'lucky' by those in 'third world' economies, particularly in Bangladesh. It seems that as wages and conditions slowly improve in China the West is looking to import clothing from Bangladesh, where workers put their lives at risk, by working in terrible conditions, often locked in multi-story buildings where accidents occur and people die because they cannot escape. There have been many disasters and in the latest where hundreds died must serve as a warning to those of us who delight in purchasing a bargain. The fact is that our bargains are gained at the expense of these  lowly paid workers. There are reports that many are working for as little as $US16 cents an hour. Of course the Bangladesh authorities face a dilemma; workers need to work and any job is better than none. There is no welfare support in these countries. It is a matter of 'work of you don't eat.'
There is a responsibility on the West where we need to pay more for our clothing and other products and the companies who import the cheap products also come into the picture. They make huge profits and until they take a more moral view and the bargain loving public see the wider picture, then what we have witnessed in Bangladesh will be replicated in many other poorer nations. We cannot ignore the plight of our fellow human beings. If it means that we wear something a little longer, then so be it. I know---tell that to a struggling family in NZ and it may fall on deaf ears. That issue needs to be faced within NZ, but not at the expense of the citizens of Bangladesh. Their Government needs to take a stand and force better conditions in these factories that are no more than 21st century 'work houses.' It seems that Dickens wrote in a manner that reflects an age old issue--the plight of the poor in all nations, but so much worse in others. Get a grip NZ and perhaps extend the Fair Trade concept to the clothing we wear and at the same time address poverty in NZ.

China is now NZ's biggest export market! What will that mean for us?

The days when New Zealand saw the UK as the 'Mother 'Nation' have totally gone; consigned to the annals of history. That time in our history really went south when Great Britain failed us at Singapore in the Second World War. Yes, we still have excellent ties and cultural links with dear old England but the reality is that we are a Pacific nation with ever increasing ties to Asia, China in particular. This new reality will need to be reflected in our diplomatic relationships with the new economic giants we trade with. That is going to be difficult to 'swallow,' when some of these nations, particularly China follow policies that we have traditionally found hard to relate to namely those issues around human rights. Will we have to kow tow to China now and put aside our 'discomfort' in the name of economic survival? Yes, Australia will continue to be our ally in all sense of the word and the USA will remain in our sphere of interests. Maybe it is time for us to pursue a 'non-aligned' foreign policy stance and not get dragged into every war that our former economic masters have led us. It is a 'brave new world,' one that we must adapt to and perhaps take a less than holly ground stance about what constitutes what is 'right for us.' Scary thought eh.

Forsyth Barr Stadium drawing large crowds--Go for it Dunedin!

What a fantastic piece of news. That the so so-called 'white elephant' in Dunedin is starting to gain a solid reputation amongst many overseas (and local acts is good news for the stadium itself and for Dunedin as a whole. The FBS drew bigger crowds for two big name acts than those achieved in Australia. It is time for Dunedin to build on this success. The money that is added to the local economy and maybe a few extra jobs are most surely welcome. Let this be part, even if only a small part of a new beginning for one of our provinces that is well away from my native city, Auckland. Go for it Dunedin!

Sythentitic Cannnabis is still being sold at a shop near you---Do something becuase we can not wait any longer!

Synthetic cannabis is still being sold in a shop near you. I am feeling more and more angry that this is so. We now know that these substances are even more dangerous than the substance that it purports to copy. Our A and E wards are seeing young people in dangerous states and we are going to see more 'casualties of this  nasty 'product. Why do we have to wait until August when  a Government can 'decree' a regulation and get this crap off our shop shelves NOW!? Lets name and shame these shops and take away their right to b e in our communities. If they can not demonstrate that they do not sell SC, then let everyone know in your neighbourhood. Put the names in my 'comments' section of this blog and send it on to your friends on Face Book, Twitter and anywhere else. I strongly recommend that you do not become involved in anything illegal, and implore you to be sure that those you put up on this blog are indeed selling the SC. Get out into your communities and find out. The NZ Herald named a few shops this morning, so you can start with those. Tell them in no uncertain terms that you will not tolerate their 'community unfriendly business practices. BUT, BE careful about the accuracy of your accusations! It is time to act!

Syria---now nerve gas enters the picture.

Who is who in Syria? Which side offers the best for its people? The answer is extremely complicated. On one hand we have the despotic President and his clique and on the other a disparate group of rebels who once the battle is over will fight amongst themselves because they do not represent a majority view. What hope is there for a country when the choices are so confusing? The risk is that the winner will be the side which is best organized and that could well be a 'Taliban type' group.Tell that to the women and girls of Syria who may find that even under the present leader their position is far better, even if that did mean not having any real political say in the running of their country. Is the choice really that sinister or will some sort of consensus prevail?---I doubt it.
For the USA and other 'bystander nations,' the choice of whom to 'help' is also problematic. There is no point in hoping that the 'Islamic world' will be ale to provide an answer because they too find it  as hard to agree as does the rest of the world.  Why should the Islamic world be any different to other nation groupings? It all comes down to complex relationships and economic groupings that have always been the main influences on all world events.
Today we hear that the USA sees the latest developments around possible use by the present regime of nerve gas' against its own people as being the 'tipping point' re international intervention (read, USA involvement). That would be a crucial mistake for the USA; such an intervention will result in further complicating an already intolerable position. Has the USA not learnt from its involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan and the sad fact is that the USA will drag its 'lackey' friends (NZ etc.) into a hopeless venture. For once, I hope that NZ and others will resist all moves and pressure to become involved in yet another disaster.
Where does that leave Syria? Look at history!

There's got to be a better way than using schools, churches and golf clubs for building housing on.

The headline in the NZ Herald about the possibility of using large tracts of land in Auckland, currently used for schools, churches, golf clubs and some luxury large sized homes for infill housing has to be seen as extreme in the least. The 'plan' does say that such proposals are at the outer limit of meeting the needs for extra housing for the people of Auckland in the not too distant future. We shall hear the outcry from a wide cross-section of groups, ranging from 'educationalists to the rich and influential. For a start, we know that the latter group will have their day and win in court, but other groups will not fare so well under the 'proposals.'
Maybe these early 'flagging's have been put out there, just to stimulate debate. OK, bring it on, but maybe we should be looking at another more sensible solution to the ever expanding (Land and people) needs of Auckland. Do we really want to have about 50% of NZ's population in one city, leaving the remainder of NZ for tourists and animals?
Would it not be far better to finally look at serious attempts to 'grow' the rest of NZ? Most of us, of a certain age, remember attempts by various political parties in the past to implement policies for 'regional development.' Little came of them, once the party proposing them came to power. The reality was and possibly still is for NZers to choose where they live and any Government veering from that is doomed to failure.
That means it will take political courage to pressure people into choosing elsewhere to live other than Auckland and there is precious little evidence that any of our current politicians, at least those who have their noses in 'Welle-trough' to make some tough decisions. Maybe Len Brown, Mayor of Auckland could be seen in that light, but his power is limited to those things 'Auckland.'
How about making it extra attractive for newly arriving immigrants to have an incentive to live elsewhere. How about attracting entrepreneurial capital on positive terms, if it is used in the 'regions?' Maybe a tax holiday or other incentives can help. Perhaps a 'think tank' of people can come up with ideas to entice people from Auckland? I do not mean pushing beneficiaries into regional NZ although to a small extent that is happening. We need jobs in these areas that will in turn attract people out of Auckland.
The ideas proposed in the 'plan' are surely meant to stimulate discussion and for that, it is a good plan. We cannot continue to pour resources merely to chase the tail of traffic, housing and other problems besetting the Queen city.'

Eden Coffee------a winner in my books!

Since surgery, three weeks ago I have found out that I don't enjoy the taste of wine. Now, don't get me wrong: I haven't poured a glass  of my favourite vintage; I just had a tiny sip on two occasions and both times I had this overwhelming feeling that I was drinking vinegar. Holly molly, how could this be so? Maybe I have to wait until everything settles down in my modified 'insides.' Maybe my tastes have changed. I shall wait a few more weeks before I attempt (less than a thimble full) a 'tasting again.
The same can not be said for my other much loved beverage---coffee----good coffee. I have my favourites, including, Allpress, Icoco, Columbus and a particular range of coffees that come under the names Mr Black, Green and White. That café is next to Epsom Girls Grammar on Manukau Road. I like them all.
I have discovered another 'roaster, namely Eden Irresistible Coffee at the city end of Mt Eden Road. The first time I visited this establishment I was offered their 'Soul' range of beans. I liked them and as I said in a previous blog, my family and friends said it was the best coffee I have ever served them. When I returned to the shop yesterday, I asked to go a step up re strength. There is one more step after the one I brought. I informed the friendly knowledgeable guy that I would let him know what I thought. He remembered me coming in the week before. I made a cup and low and behold--- I was blown away by the aroma and the taste. I don't know the correct terminology for describing coffee and maybe I don't need to know. What is right for me is that the stronger coffee beans were that one step better. I
I informed my surgeon  on my last visit that I was drinking coffee and he seemed OK about that. I don't know if my tastes have altered in a similar way re wine, but this time in my favour. The coffee is wonderful; and I am so happy that I am bale to enjoy it. Along with the increasing variety of foods that I can eat now, I am most satisfied with the knowledge that coffee is on my list. I shall check in a few weeks and if wine is back---it will be in much reduced quantities. I guess I can use the reasoning that coffee with the frothy milk at least contains protein, something that I must include in all of my tiny meals. Trips to Eden Coffee are going to be a regular part of my regime from now on. Their coffee has a 'Fair Trade' and organic label too and it is very reasonably priced.