Dialogue: It's time we started to look on the bright side

By FRANK MULLER*

Over of the past couple of months the Herald has focused on the doom and gloom which appear to have taken hold of the country.

It has challenged us to look at what we have going for us and how we might best translate that into improving our standard of living and our international standing.

The crux of the matter is how we can do this. Most of us are tired of looking for someone or something else to blame for this apparent malaise, whether it be the debilitating impact of the brain-drain (exacerbated by the student loan scheme), Treaty of Waitangi issues, industrial relations, the political shenanigans which have accompanied MMP or the growing them-versus-us mentality.

Such issues have been allowed to cloud the many positive features in our society. Let's look at a few of these problem areas.

The brain-drain has been with us for more than 100 years, as enterprising young New Zealanders have set out to explore opportunities.

Like it or not, it will continue, probably in an ever-increasing flow as it becomes easier to do so and in response to the lure of the global economy.

Looked at positively, this situation must say something about us as a nation - our education system and the vigour, resilience and adaptability of our young people. How many comparable nations have provided the launching pad for three native sons to pursue international scientific careers culminating in a Nobel Prize?

As for the loan scheme, few, if any, developed countries provide free tertiary education. While deploring the unethical attitude of those who have taken flight to evade their obligations, I also deplore aspects of the scheme which encouraged such behaviour, especially the harsh repayment terms and the overly generous application of the scheme.

While we cannot afford to provide free tertiary education, there is merit in the idea floated by the Deputy Prime Minister that certain disciplines, where we definitely need to boost enrolment numbers, might have fees cut significantly. Another approach would be to boost scholarships in these areas.

Most of the younger people who leave will return in due course, especially if we can provide them with the opportunities they seek. New Zealand has much to offer our expatriates once they have families of their own for whose future they need to plan.

Let's also look at the other side of the coin. Just as young New Zealanders have long sought the world over the horizon, so have we long been dependent for our growth and prosperity on a steady influx of new blood.

Even a fleeting look at the historical record is surprising. While the great majority of immigrants in the first 100 years or so came from the British Isles, valuable contributions came also from Germany, Scandinavia, the Balkans and China, to mention only some sources.

After the Second World War, the net was cast further afield, with the influx of Pacific peoples, the large Dutch inflow, displaced people from Europe and a revival of immigration from the British Isles.

Over the past 20 years or so, Vietnamese, Cambodians, Chinese, Indians, Filipinos, Latin Americans, Middle Easterners and Africans have all added to the mix.

Although immigration has tended to be a political football, we need the injection of younger, vigorous people not only to retain a healthy age balance but to maintain the population growth required to sustain a stronger economy.

There is no better way of slowing the brain-drain or inducing expatriates back. We need to look worldwide for skilled people and entrepreneurs, and we need to know how to welcome and induct them into our society. We could learn much from Sweden there.

On the issue of industrial relations, I am typical of the great majority of New Zealanders who try to take an objective and fair stance.

Just as I deplored the union stranglehold on the economy in earlier times, so also I deplored the manner in which some employers took advantage of the radical changes after the virtual emasculation of the unions in the early 1990s.

While the pendulum has swung back somewhat, we are now measuring up to widely accepted international standards in the management of industrial relations. So what's the big problem? A return to the bad old days would be akin to the Government signing its own death warrant. Let's get on with forging positive, mutually beneficial relationships in the workplace and in society generally.

On treaty issues, the parties must press ahead urgently to reach agreements which are fair to the aggrieved parties and the nation as a whole. But genuine grievances ought to be confined to just that - no more, no less. I felt concern to read about the claim by Taranaki tribes to a share of gas and petroleum deposits.

This news received front-page treatment in Taiwan. Undoubtedly, it sent negative signals to the investment community there and elsewhere.

Probably the crux of the problems facing us involves creating worthwhile job opportunities nationwide and, along with this, ensuring that we produce the correct range and mix of skills and expertise.

On a bus trip from Stockholm to Helsingborg, we passed through a number of cities and many smaller towns. I was most impressed by the smartness and prosperity of all these places. Every township seemed to boast several modern factories, apparently involved in manufacturing, engineering or technology.

I couldn't help wondering what something similar would do to small-town New Zealand if we could harness the requisite resources.

* Frank Muller, a retired diplomat, lives in Auckland.