FORUM:
We have to turn inward and start to look after ourselves instead of depending of other nations to help out with manufacturing.
The trouble started with the Whitlam Government when he allowed our footwear and clothing to go offshore.
This helps other nations to keep us under their thumbs.
I can’t buy clothing or shoes made in Australia.
Why? We all know why – cheap slave labour.
This is no better than the slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The wages of the overpaid bureaucrats and senior public servants is now as out of control as the salaries of the CEOs of companies.
Maybe we can’t afford them.
We now have an American culture in our system that must be brought under control.
We had a wonderful, self-reliant country – but not now.
Let’s get back our country and leave something decent for our children and grandchildren.
Email, Mar 6
Robert Findley, Point Clare
Robert is correct about the rot setting in during the Whitlam Govt but the real reason for the loss of manufacturing in OZ and our subsequent dependence on other countries, some that use this as a political weapon (China), was to abolition of tariffs and import quotas.”Protectionism” is a dirty word in politics these days. And yet many other countries, especially those that have taken over the manufacturing mantel, practise protectionist measures. Free Trade… NO!