Dear Sir,

While one can’t deny the picture painted of New Zealanders going overseas as described by Warwick Roger (Evening Post 16th October) the crucial phrase is: “the fear…that the population will get out of balance”.

No country can afford to lose the skill-base that we are losing without feeling a sense that something is seriously wrong. If we were replacing our bright, young skilled professionals with similarly skilled immigrants, there would not be a problem. But in reality we know that is not happening. In the year to August, 48,312 immigrants with no professional or high occupational skills were granted permanent residency in New Zealand.

Immigration policy must reflect the needs of this country. We need talent, innovation, techology-skilled immigrants who are ready and able to contribute to New Zealand society. These people are not attracted to a highly-regulated, backward-looking country whose government and followers preach a doctrine of anti-business and anti-competition.

Those people go to a country where individual success is rewarded, and business initiative is valued. We used to be like that, and we can be again. It takes foresight and vision.

Yours sincerely

Penny Webster MP ACT Immigration Spokesperson

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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