Buying from Overseas

Frog Blog is upset that the new Lotto tickets are produced overseas. This is a very short-sighted attitude.

It is very easy to automatically subscribe to the notion that it is always better for NZers to buy something locally and never purchase from overseas if possible. But think about the logical consequences of this, if all countries apply such a policy.

Do we really want successful NZ manufacturers unable to compete overseas? We have a helmet manufacturer who makes fire helmets for customers all over the world. In the Greens’ world they would not be able to compete overseas – one must always go with the local manufacturer.

Think of all the NZ success stories. And then think how few there would be if everyone followed the Greens’ policy of buying everything locally.

Don’t get me wrong – if all other things are equal I will buy local. But beating up on NZ companies who decide to but things off overseas companies is very short-sighted. As a small trading nation we do not want to encourage countries to diminish trade.