I have never bought a new car. Such a dream has always been just that---something beyond my means. Instead, at best I have had the occasional two to three year old cars and almost felt as satisfied with that ‘almost new feel.’ Some would say of course, that such actions are more sensible, given that once you walk out of the ‘show room’ with a new car, the worth plummets. I am not so sure if that is true these days.
So, when I observe Chinese cars coming into New Zealand, at prices well below their competitors and when I read about their ‘good value,’ when taking into account all factors, I start to look a bit more closely.
The price in NZ for Chinese cars starts at around NZ$11,000 for a 1300cc car (A Chery) and rises to over NZ$20,000 for a 2000 sedan from the same manufacturer. Then for those wanting a ‘working car’—you get the offerings from The Great Wall company.
One hears many ‘anecdotal’ tales about the reliability, safety and efficiency issues, as well as the re-sale price. What is certain is that the quality and safety issues are rapidly being addressed and I have read reports (that is the problem—who to believe?) that some models are ‘almost there re some of the above issues.
I would like to take the plunge as it were, but I think I will wait for a little longer, until I consistently read from well-respected Kiwi sources (like the AA) that Chinese cars ‘have arrived with most issues ironed out. Hell, why pay more than twice as much for a similar car from other countries.
I must say though, that even in China, if you have the money, you still chose from European and Japanese (and USA) models. If I had the money, I too would buy a BMW or Audi. Hell, I’d even buy an Aussie car, if they still made them! The bottom line---watch out for those new Chinese cars---they are indeed coming.
We read from time to time about freedom of access to theinternet in China. There are also regular headlines in the news media in NZ, about ‘human rights’ issues in China. There is often an addition to news reports about ‘Leaders’ visiting China bringing up the concerns about the above. I am therefore pleasantly surprised to see that readers in China are reading my blogs, because I do not always present life is China as a ‘bunch of roses.’ (I bet that got a few Chinese readers a little perplexed) To put it another way, after some of my blogs about the ‘concerns’ expressed by our politicians and others, I have been of the opinion that my miniscule attempt to critique the position of those who dare to criticise the might Communist Party, would be sort of---- ‘dampened’ or blocked. Maybe it is because I am only talking numbers re readership of 100s not millions, so my China-blogs hardly matter. I suspect that if I was any more strident in my ‘offerings’ re China and the numbers reached, how shall I put it,’ ---Chinese proportions, then it could well be a different story. I read about the pressure put on Chinese dissidents to ‘shut up,’ or face more dire consequences. They seem to disappear or to surface in the USA when they cross the line of acceptable opposition to the regime.
Still, I am happy to admit that life in China under the leadership of the CP is one hell of a lot better than it ever was under previous emporors and despots. The growth of the middle-classes and the super-rich shows that much is possible in the New China. Maybe environmental issues will be more important than perceived rights in the near future.IN the meantime, go for it, my Chinese readers and greetings from NZ. Want a slice of Kiwiana---go to my website and download my book ROSKILL FOR A SMALL AMOUNT--- USA$4
New Zealand suppliers are being subjected to a 'Countdown shakedown', according to MP Shane Jones. File photo / Richard Robinson
Progressive Enterprises has shot back at Labour MP Shane Jones after he claimed in Parliament that New Zealand suppliers are being blackmailed into making payments to Australian owned supermarket chain Countdown to ensure their products continue to be stocked.
Under protection of parliamentary privilege in the House this afternoon, Mr Jones detailed what he called the "Countdown shakedown" and slammed it as an example of the ruthless "dingo culture" of Australian corporations.
But, in a statement released late this afternoon, Dave Chambers, Managing Director of Progressive Enterprises said it "categorically rejected" the allegations.
"If any MP or supplier has questions or concerns about our business they are welcome to contact us directly to discuss them."
Mr Chambers also said: "As a passionate Kiwi, I am also proud of the 18,000 New Zealanders who work hard to serve our customers every day, and of the investment our business continues to make in the economy."
Mr Jones told Parliament he had been informed by New Zealand suppliers that they had been called to meetings with the supermarket chain's managers.
During those meetings they were told the supermarkets' profit margins hadn't met "shareholder expectations" and more was wanted from the suppliers.
"The Aussie managers are saying to our kiwi employers, our kiwi firms "we're not here to talk nursery rhymes".
"They are demanding from kiwi businesses backdated cheques and recompense for the losses the supermarkets assert they suffered last year.
"And if they don't pay these cheques, they are being told no shelf space into the future.
"In any other sort of country that's blackmail, that's extortion." VideoMr Jones said the suppliers who brought the issue to his attention had sworn him not to reveal their identity. However they employed thousands of New Zealanders up and down the country and with their own profit margins slim, those jobs would be placed at risk if they were forced to make those payments.
He said he would this afternoon send a letter to the Commerce Commission asking them to look into the matter.
The move was symptomatic of "a corporate culture that could only be described as something Tony Soprano would be very proud of, something of racketeering and something of extortion imported from Australia that corrupts commercial practice in New Zealand''.
Mr Jones refused to comment further after he left the House.
Mr Chambers said in a statement that Progressive would fully co-operate with any inquiries from the Commerce Commission.
Earlier, a spokeswoman for Countdown said the company was "stunned" by Mr Jones' claims.
"We absolutely and categorically reject the allegations".
Countdown is owned by Progressive Enterprise which is in turn owned by Australian company Woolworths Ltd.
Mr Jones' claims come almost a year to the day since Australian competition watchdog the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) confirmed it was investigating similar complaints across the Tasman.
Noting it was difficult to get suppliers to come forward and speak about such practices, ACCC chairman Rod Sims said the watchdog was investigating claims that suppliers were being forced to make extra payments or risk having their products removed from the supermarket shelves.
Some suppliers also said their products were being discriminated against in favour of the supermarkets' own home brand products, which are now estimated to make up around a quarter of total supermarket sales.
Countdown is already facing criticism and a fledgling consumer boycott in New Zealand over its parent company's policy to favour local suppliers over New Zealand suppliers in its Australian supermarkets.
A Facebook page set up to highlight the boycott had 1317 likes by this afternoon.
As I walked past the boss's office today, his lovely secretary called me in. She said---'we need to change your picture on our files.'
'Why?' I said.
'Look at this,' she replied, with a look that was partly serious and incredulous at the same time. The boss took a look and seemed to have forgotten that I once looked like that!
If I need any reason to 'stay on track' or if I need a boost to remained me that it's all been worth it, I shall just take a peak at the old me. I am so thankful, even though I have more debt---well, now I have a life again. Who said fat chubby guys are happy? Feckin liars! www.authorneilcoleman.com
In the 'olden days,' not so long ago, I used to be--very unhappy and totally unhealthy. Damn, that neck was non-existent!
It seems that we read about incidents as reported in the NZ Herald about yet another Nigerian scam are going to keep on happening; this time an older person being scammed into believing that he was going to receive a huge payment, merely for the ‘transporting of some ‘goods’ into NZ. Greed takes over, even amongst those of us who should know better. The old adage of ‘if it’s too good to be true, then it probably isn’t,’ should be engrained on our brains so that we read less of these sad events.
The man involved was completely sucked in by the false promises of his ‘handlers,’ travelling to PNG to meet and start his ‘journey to richness.’ After an extensive surveillance programme, brought on after he was intercepted at our borders, and hisco-operating with our police, the man now faces his day in court, along with quite a few of those who were in the ‘ring’ with him.
Perhaps it should be compulsory viewing for every NZer to watch the ‘Border Control’ programmes on TV so that they can see that in both NZ and Australia, there are robust systems in place to stop the trafficking of illegal drugs and other goods. That the substance in this case was the precursor to the manufacturing of ‘P’ only goes to show that we need to step up our resources to stop this insidious blot on our society crossing our borders, then destroying so many of those who have anything to do with it, at supplier level through to the user.
Go read ROSKIL, BY NEIL COLEMAN, to get a down to earth handle on how ‘P’ can affect a family and nearly destroy it. The book is one that teenagers must read and parents too, to see the impact of their actions on the lives of their kids. You can download it on your Kindle by going to www.authorneilcoleman.com and following the links.
I was listening to talk-back radio on Sunday and the callers were once again lambasting Ryder and Bracewell for their latest ‘indiscretions.’ Apparently (and there are probably more stories to come) the two went out the night before a Test Match (that’s in Cricket, for my readers who wouldn’t have a clue about what I am talking about) and had a few drinks. Jeeze, in days gone by, no one would have even noticed!
People were saying, ‘drop them from the squad,’ amongst other over-the-top, holier than thou suggestions, about how to deal to these two excellent cricketers. I heard people going on about in this ‘professional age’ of sport that such behaviours shouldn’t be tolerated. OK, that’s fine, but please remember these guys are typical young guys who ‘press the boundaries’ so if we want to see them ‘hit the boundaries’ then lax up people. Sure they need a reminder and I say that they just need to have happen what I read about today---repeatedly, so they got pinged where it hurts---in their pockets---they got fined! That’s all we have to do and what better way of learning the new etiquette of ‘professional’ sportsmanship and behaviours. Mind you, if this was in Australia, they’d be ‘bloody heroes’ for being pissheads!
I loosely recall the words of a famous song that said something like, ‘freedom’s just another word for nothing else to do.’ Those words, even if wrongly quoted seem quite pertinent now that there is a discussion about New Zealanders fighting in Syria possibly having their passports revoked. That is a serious step and one that cannot be taken lightly. We have had other times in our history whereby, our citizens have gone overseas to fight against tyrannical despots or leaders they see as being non-democratic. Take the Spanish Civil War, when people from all over the globe went to fight for both sides of the war.
John Key needs to be careful about what should happen to the New Zealanders going to fight in Syria. If they are shown to be fighting for ‘terrorists’ (who decides that?) organizations and then expect to return to NZ, then perhaps there is an issue with their supposed ‘radicalization’; something that we can well do without in NZ.
We do not want to import the politics of the Middle East. We have had immigrants from other nations in the past who have come to NZ for the specific reason to escape the ‘troubles’ from their homelands. The last thing they wish to see is a rebirth of the same old failed ideas here in NZ, the new home with new hopes. One needs only to think of the Irish or Lebanese arrivals, all who have fitted in well and contributed to NZ society.
I can see ramifications for this debate that could threaten our strong belief in ‘freedom of choice,’ but I can also see that if a ‘returnee’ brings back the fight to NZ, then we are entering an area that is fraught with danger. We must have this discussion and one that is held widely. We do not want knee-jerk reactions; ones that politicians will use for their own purposes here; to retain power.
I am not saying that John Key is doing that---- yet. But---we must be aware of the potential to ‘bring back trouble’ from foreign wars. We most definitely do not need to do that. So---go carefully, Mr Key, and let’s not have emotional unhelpful arguments from those opposed, but without real policy of their own. I am hardly a Government supporter, but this is the time for some very careful and rational thinking, from all side of the political spectrum. Is that what we are going to get?
