Onwards comrades to the socialist paradise!

NZ Herald has an item, from NZPA – no doubt a government spin release, on the government buy-back of the railways and the ferry service for $665 million.

Now given that in the past Finance Commissar Cullen has gone on about paying for capital investment out of current income, it will be very interesting to see how he finances this. Especially as he has rubbished National for saying that major investment can be paid for by borrowings and thus the cost spread inter-generationally between present and future users.

Note these words by the Prime Minister, from the article:-

Prime Minister Helen Clark today said the deal would pave the way for the modernisation of the rail network, which formed a key part of the Government’s sustainability agenda.

“Modernising our transport sector is central to transforming our economy and making it truly sustainable,” the PM said.

“With rising fuel prices and growing awareness about the challenge of global climate change, many nations are looking to rail as a central part of 21st century economic infrastructure.”

She said a modern rail system could reduce the emissions of the overall transport network, take pressure off our roads and allow trucking and shipping to operate more efficiently.

Now Adam believes in the need for a modern and effective rail network. However, he is concerned that our narrow gauge railtrack and limited lines, especially in the major urban conurbation of Auckland, render the possibility of rail being more effective somewhat constrained.

Adam is especially concerned about the words in the last paragraph above.

Does this foreshadow compulsion to use rail?

Adam thought trucking currently operated efficiently, which is why in the interests of such speed and logistical efficacy rail freight had declined!

Why will ownership of rail by the state allow shipping to operate more effectively? The ferries were a byword for disruption and inefficiency when state owned.

Why does state ownership make our transport sector more modern and sustainable? This sounds like code for putting a lot of our money into the maws of a state monopoly.

Watch very carefully to see whether Cullen fund pension money is to be diverted to prop up this potential state behemoth.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen said buying the rail operating business was the best way to increase investment in the industry and make it more responsive to customers’ needs.

Cue hollow laughter.

Adam agrees Toll needed to invest more, but part of the problem was the problems caused by decades of shoddy state ownership.

Adam finds the idea of state ownership making the system more responsive to customer needs really pathetic and fantastical. What cloud is Cullen on?

Predictably, Peter Brown of NZ First said the following, no doubt having obtained Winston’s approval beforehand:-

Government ownership could open the door to improved flexibility, innovation, efficiency and service, which are currently lacking,” he said.

Peter Brown obviously occupies an adjacent cloud to that of Dr Cullen.

We have accelerated, comrades, the march towards a true socialist paradise, of state control, mediocrity and poverty. All in the name of progress. Upper half of the OECD here we come.

This is part of the plan to empty the government coffers before the election.

What will they nationalise next?

Which private company will they next seek to destroy?

True nature of the lefts’ control of this government is now emerging. he has a secret agenda.

It is not asset sales that are the issue, it is the creeping nationalisation of the economy by this government.