Dear Editor,
Are we really going to restrict the numbers of agricultural workers prepared to come here from Eastern Europe and pick and harvest British crops? Better, is it, to import food from overseas? Hardly makes sense. But where has sense gone in 2017?
A major need for many of us especially at this time of year is the ‘feel good factor’. We can experience this by singing well-known hymns and carols in a congregation, a choir, a makeshift singing group. We can find it with dancing both modern and classical, we can enjoy it with warm fires, cheerful companions and seasonal fare. In recent weeks that ‘feel good factor’ was certainly not present for the ardent English cricket supporter who awoke day after day to doom and gloom as the Australians wrestled the Ashes away from us with comparative ease. Messrs Smith, Starc and a Marsh or two ruined our ‘feel good factor’ and our heroes fell far short of our hopes and expectations. At last Alistair Cooke and Stuart Broad have found form and the morning news has lifted our spirits no end.
I venture down to Sydney for the 5th Test. Full of that ‘feel good factor’ partly because I escape the weather, Brexit, and dull, self opinionated so-called experts pontificating on the BBC; and partly because Australia and New Zealand live by the half-full rather than half-empty philosophies.
In New Zealand I have watched for years the way farmers have fought disappointments and setbacks. Many have gone under, sold their land for building or tried new enterprises, the survivors have enlarged their properties, taken risks, stretched bank drafts and won support from governments that value their importance to national productivity. New Zealand farmers have a voice. Their last Prime Minister Bill English even gave a demonstration of sheep shearing on television having learned the art on his family farm in Otago.
Land prices have remained high. Numerous sheep farmers have turned to dairy as irrigation schemes have been introduced across the islands. Water is plentiful. Golf course owner ‘English Tim’ met dairy farmer ‘New Zealand Tim’. The latter is permitted to take water from the local river at the same capacity each day as his English pal can take in a year! Water is plentiful. Attitude is positive.
Auckland house prices are flying high. Even bumpy old Christchurch suffering still from the violent earthquake of 2010 and 2011 sees beautifully designed homes replace the old and undistinguished. Prices keep rising. Let’s pray that the bubbly earth below does not do the same.
Yours,
Nigel
