John Stace: Keep status quo to ensure stability and prosperity

John Stace

There are exactly four weeks until polling day is upon us and it is therefore time for a reality check before we allow ourselves to be subsumed by the glamour and novelty of Labour selecting a "just in time" leader who represents socialist change and difference.

France recently held presidential elections and chose someone who is young, bright and plausible. The difference between New Zealand and France is that our economy under the present National-led Government, is thriving with an annual growth rate forecasted at 3 per cent over the next four years and one of very few OECD countries posting fiscal surpluses.

Unemployment continues to fall. France on the other hand, was and is in serious financial trouble, so changing the leadership understandably appeals to their voting public. Say what you like about our Prime Minister Bill English, the one thing we can emphatically agree on is that he has been one of New Zealand's finest ever Ministers of Finance. He has guided us through a period of severe global uncertainty and so now as Prime Minister his leadership and financial influence is as important as ever.

The New Zealand economy is regarded as a star performer globally, (even Mike Williams couldn't deny that) our prudent fiscal management in recent years has been the envy of many of our larger trading partners.

The rating agencies love us. That New Zealand is thriving is no accident. It comes from wise, cool experienced leadership and it should be the determination of every New Zealander to make sure on September 23 that we have continuance of prosperity and re-elect a responsible National Government back to the Treasury Benches.

Here in Hawke's Bay we live in an idyllic part of the world. Our region has had its difficulties but no one can deny that through the hard work, courage and ingenuity of all sectors, but particularly our rural community, be they sheep or beef farmers, dairy farmers, horticulturalists, orchardists, our viticulture industry or forestry, we as a region have prospered. And there is every likelihood that those conditions will continue, unless we "cut off the hand that feeds us" and elect a Labour Government that openly belittles and chastises our rural community.

If you happen to be a retailer in Hastings, a travel agent in Havelock North, a supermarket in Taradale or a motor vehicle dealer in Napier you are a beneficiary of our high performing rural economy so don't be surprised to see those who work on the land and are responsible for our growth and quality of life, rise up and rebel at what Labour is proposing - whether that be a poorly conceived tax on water, inclusion in the Emissions Trading Scheme or a future Capital Gains Tax on farm land.

We must all express our utter disgust for the tirades Labour is directing towards our rural community. It is unnecessary and unwarranted and damaging New Zealand's most valuable asset.

Yes, our farming community can and will adopt more environmentally friendly policies but for heaven's sake pushing them over a cliff, which appears to be David Parker's sole ambition, is contemptible and morally flawed.

Mr Parker's bullying and threatening behaviour towards the farming community in South Canterbury last week illustrates the deep and bitter animosity Labour has for our rural community. More worryingly, it also illustrates that the new Labour leader, for all her shallow hype, has little or no control over the traditional left-wing members of her Shadow Cabinet who are as vitriolic and nauseatingly unrepentant of their socialist views as ever.

Against all this angst and bitterness, it must therefore be hugely reassuring to the people of Hawke's Bay that Lawrence Yule is our National Party candidate for the Tukituki and David Elliott for Napier.

Both men are of immense integrity, vision, courage and leadership, both are skilled communicators. Lawrence, is already a proven politician both domestically and globally and was highly respected as Chairman of Commonwealth Local Government. On September 23, you have your one opportunity to make sure that the future wellbeing of your family is in the capable hands of a proven and experienced Government who really does care about New Zealanders' health, our state education system, law and order and our national security.

Don't waste your vote, there can only be one choice and that is Lawrence Yule for Tukituki, David Elliot for Napier and Party Vote National.

Havelock North's John Stace is a past deputy chairman of Lloyd's of London and is current chairman of Sounds Air. He is a supporter of National Party Tukituki candidate Lawrence Yule. All opinions are his and not those of Hawke's Bay Today.