It has been suggested that by distributing information on the proposed "sale" of our forests I am seeking to "spook" potential United States "purchasers". This is not the case. If the U.S. takes over the role of the British crown in New Zealand (as it took over from the French in Vietnam?), nothing fundamental changes for New Zealand. But all parties can benefit from a consideration of the facts. Let's look at some of those facts which show that the U.S. is involved with some curious individuals and political tendencies in New Zealand: 1 NZFOA (New Zealand Forest Owners Association) is a lobby group for major US forestry companies who dominate forest "ownership" in NZ. 2 The Executive Officer of NZFOA is the Hon. Ken Shirley. 3 Mr Shirley has publicly argued that "criticism of the New Zealand plantation model is tantamount to treason". 4 NZFOA has published a photo supplied by US company Rayonier of men dressed in battle fatigues and equipped with automatic weapons - and identified as the "Rayonier army". 5 Mr. Shirley is also Deputy-Leader of ACT, an extreme right-wing political party with about 3% public support. 6 ACT is well endowed financially, and is believed to received substantial funding from US corporates - including those who comprise Mr Shirley's present employer? 7 NZFOA has lobbied the crown to sell "crown" forest cutting rights to US corporations without any public mandate, and before partial democratic reforms are implemented last quarter 1996. 8 Dr Mark Wilde, Bankers Trust, New York "Weyerhauser wants this thing badly. Its so big and has so much muscle .. you can't stop it" (National Business Review, November 10 1995). 9 Bob Edlin, Economist "according to a Colmar and Brunton poll ... the last selloff was opposed by 79 out of 100 respondents .. Just four out of 100 gave unqualified support" (New Zealand Forest Industries November 1995). 10 Winston Peters, nationalist leader who consistently polls as as "most preferred Prime Minister" describes the sale plan as "a betrayal of a generation of New Zealanders" BECAUSE THE CROWN HAS NO TRUE TITLE TO THE FORESTS, ANY PURPORTED "TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP" FROM THE CROWN TO U.S. CORPORATIONS (OR ANY OTHER "BUYER") WILL BE NULL AND VOID. It is true that Ministers of the Crown have been very "helpful" to US forestry companies, and that those same ministers have been willing to take on lucrative employment contracts with organizations acting on behalf of those same companies. It is also true that some royalist politicians have openly advertised their "goodwill" in the matter of forestry sales being "up for tender". US forestry companies might therefore suppose that they can buy the services of the politicians, and then take care of the opposition with a ridiculous display of automatic weaponry. As far as patriotic New Zealanders are concerned neither our goodwill not our country are for sale at any price, and there is nothing in the US military arsenal which can intimidate us. This message has NO CONNECTION WITH THE FOREST EDUCATION CENTRE It is posted from a private facility and therefore not subject to the restrictions in force regarding dissemination of information on the possible "sale" of Kaingaroa forest. Geoff Fischer 628 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua, New Zealand Phone 64 7 345 3299
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