Last Updated: Nov 19th, 2009 - 11:07:39 Newsletters : 2004 Newsletters : 28 July 2004 Charles de Gaulle - French Statesman Since a politician never believes what he says, he is surprised when others believe him. Jun 15, 2004, 17:53 Newsletters : 2004 Newsletters : 28 July 2004 Lessons of Experience This is a paper prepared for the Annual World Bank Conference on Development Economics, Washington, D.C. May 3-4, 2004. This is a fascinating essay giving a "bird's eye view" of market economies. This prize winning economist covers the whole of globalization from the early beginnings and finishes his dissertation with a wonderful little story of his first trip to Wellington NZ. This is sure to warm the cockles of your heart. Jul 16, 2004, 17:52 Newsletters : 2004 Newsletters : 28 July 2004 A Vision for New Zealand Sir Ron's thoughts in this article helped form our ideas when we were forming Parties for Growth. The message is very clear and the thoughts are well constructed to make a very interesting article. Why can't we get leaders of this calibre into parliament? [ Visit Website ] Jul 5, 2004, 17:25 Newsletters : 2004 Newsletters : 28 July 2004 Each to his Own One of the things I notice is that a number of politicians are trying to “guide” business or “lead” business in this, that or some other direction. I also notice business people thinking that “If only I could get my hands on the levers of power for a year or two, I would get things cracking.” I suspect that “doing” politics and “doing” business are so different from each other that each should concentrate on what they know best and leave the other to the “experts”. Some of you will remember that previous governments ran the Bank of New Zealand which had to be bailed out to the tune of $1,000,000,000.00, the Railways which were losing $1,000,000 per day when sold and the DFC which was supposed to look after small businesses but failed. Prior to 1984 our governments ran everything and when Muldoon tried to keep that philosophy going he failed spectacularly. Taxes increased to 66% and he started a wage freeze, a price freeze and an interest rate freeze. New Zealand was the land of the big freeze. It was the only way he could think of to keep control. But, like the communists in the USSR, he discovered that command and control from the centre is impossible when it comes to running a whole economy. The Lange and Douglas government of 1984 had to free everything up and allow things to find their own level. They devalued the dollar and took off all controls. It was a dramatic time but the only solution and not only did New Zealand survive we thrived - but then they had a cup o' tea! Twenty years later we are still having the same arguments. Why haven't we found the solution? Read on. . . Jul 5, 2004, 16:25