Indian Newslink December 15, 2017 Digital Edition

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DECEMBER 15, 2017 12 Viewlink The English Fortnightly (Since November 1999) ISSUE 383 | DECEMBER 15, 2017 Immigration Policy should be sound and just Alastair McClymont, who wrote our frontpage story in this issue dispels the myth that the Labour Party is against immigration and that it erect barricades to stop international students and migrant workers from seeking to become permanent residents and eventually citizens. Mr McClymont is an experienced immigration lawyer, who for the most part does pro bono work (there are others who make money for his firm) for hapless victims of the unscrupulous employers (a majority of whom are allegedly of Indian origin) and what he describes ‘heartless bureaucrats.’ Streamline, not curtail His point is simple: Labour wants to streamline immigration, not curtail it – hardly a contestable point. A hundred workers exploited and left to subsist in an otherwise rich country is inexcusable transgression indeed. We hope that the Labour government will have in place a sound and just immigration regime that behoves the character and culture of New Zealand as a compassionate Nation with progressive policies. Defending Immigration Looking around the developed world, most governments are in favour of immigration, despite equally vociferous defenders, who often fight on nativist turf, citing data to respond to claims about migrants’ damaging effects on wages or public services. Those data are indeed on migrants’ side. Though some research suggests that native workers with skill levels Issue 383 December 15, 2017 similar to those of arriving migrants take a hit to their wages because of increased migration, most analyses find that they are not harmed, and that many eventually earn more as competition nudges them to specialise in more demanding occupations. Self-interest Strategy Appeal to self-interest is a more effective strategy. In countries with acute demographic challenges, migration is a solution to the challenges posed by ageing: immigrants’ tax payments help fund native pensions; they can help ease a shortage of care workers. In New Zealand for instance, people worry that foreigners compete with New Zealanders for the care of the Public Health Service, but pay less attention to the migrants helping to staff the system. New Zealanders enjoy other benefits, too. As migrants prosper and have children, they become better able to contribute to Science, the Arts and entrepreneurial activity. This is the Steve Jobs case for immigration: the child of a Muslim man from Syria might create a world-changing company in his new home. As the Economist would say, Europeans are not more deserving of high incomes than Chinese or Indians. And the discomfort some feel at the strange dress or speech of a passerby does not remotely justify trillions in economic losses foisted on the world’s poorest people. No one should be timid about saying so, loud and clear. Sunny days are here but Christmas bells are yet to chime. The holiday season is closing in, but the festive mood is yet to dawn. But before long, the Nation would switch to the holiday mood with hundreds of thousands of people enjoying their annual vacation or at least the statutory holidays, which, carried over the Christmas and New Year weekends, would be neat. The Mini Budget As we went to printers with this concluding issue of 2017, the Labour-led Coalition Government would have introduced its Mini Budget, giving vent to some of its election promises. Parliament would discuss Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s first-ever Budget and pass it in urgency. We would analyse the budget and bring you expert comments through our three Web Editions and the Social Media. The new government deserves support. That is a fair expectation in a democracy. National has had three innings since 2008 and it is now time for its leaders to relax and reflect on their deeds and misdeeds and revitalise themselves before facing the electorate again in 2020. To deny a chance to a government that has been chosen on agreed principle of majority, would not only be unjust but also undemocratic. The media that unabashedly opposes the incumbent government is not doing the job of the Fourth Estate. Welcoming the New Year We would like to predict that 2018 would be a year of reconciliation, reconsolidation and rehabilitation. The world economy would get on to the path of recovery, contrary to the theories of skeptics and those who believe that we are in for a long spell of disasters. In our own little world, we will continue to speak about celebrating our cultural plurality, social partnership and community engagement. Most important of all, we will remain as good New Zealanders, as we have always been, with passion, compassion, respect, self-respect, the will to work and the will to succeed. The current year has been different for different people. Despite despair, we continued to smile, because we are a nation of doers and optimists, with a strong will to succeed. Just as every raindrop holds a flower, every moment of the New Year should spell peace, harmony and happiness. Indian Newslink is published by Indian Newslink Limited from its offices located at Level 1, Number 166, Harris Road, East Tamaki, Auckland 2013 and printed at Horton Media Limited, Auckland. All material appearing here and on our web editions are the copyright of Indian Newslink and reproduction in full or part in any medium is prohibited. Indian Newslink and its management and staff do not accept any responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. Managing Director & Publisher: Jacob Mannothra; Editor & General Manager: Venkat Raman; Marketing & Sales Manager: Ronny Kumaran; Production Manager: Mahes Perera; Assistant Editor: Ratna Venkat; Financial Controller: Uma Venkatram CA; Phone: (09) 5336377 Email: info@indiannewslink.co.nz Websites: www.indiannewslink.co.nz; www.inliba.com; www.inlisa.com Gandhi Statue raises controversy in Grenada Jai Sears in Grenada Iwrite in response to a letter on Mahatma Gandhi entitled ‘Dustbin of History’ written by Josiah Rougier and published in ‘The New Today (November 3, 2017) of Grenada. In his letter, Rougier is asking the Government to remove the bust-statue of Gandhi which overlooks Sauteurs Bay in Grenada where East Indians arrived 160 years ago. His opinion is based on the false notion that Gandhi was racist because the Mahatma reportedly considered Indians to be superior to black Africans when he referred to the latter as “kaffirs.” Gandhi was only 27 years old when he made that contextual statement. If Rougier had done his research, he would have found that Nelson Mandela said, “Gandhi must be forgiven for these prejudices in the context of the time and the circumstances.” The quote can be found in “Gandhi the Prisoner” by Nelson Mandela published in 1995. Gandhi was a man; he was not God. And even God made mistakes. Rougier must instead focus on the Gandhi’s vision of non-violent protest and his belief in satyagraha which inspired rebels and revolutionaries around the world. Influence in Africa and America Gandhi’s ideas influenced leaders of the African National Congress and the struggle by Indians and blacks against white apartheid rule in South Africa. From as early as 1956, when he was 27 years old, Martin Luther King, Jr referred to Gandhi as “The guiding light of our technique of nonviolent social change.” Following the success of his boycott, King contemplated The Statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Sauteurs Bay, Grenada unveiled on January 23, 2013. traveling to India to deepen his “Kafirs (black) are as a rule uncivilised convicts even more so. They understanding of Gandhian principles. are troublesome, very dirty and The fact is that Gandhi saw live almost like animals.” people of all races, castes, colours As a person of African heritage, and creeds as equal which led is this the kind of person whose to his assassination by a Hindu bust should be placed any-where fanatic in 1948. among our people? What has this So, who is this unknown Josiah racist ever done for the people of Rougier? Is he as illustrious as the Grenada? great Nelson Mandela and Martin In his own country, he did absolutely nothing for the poor people Luther King? And is he disagreeing with his possible heroes? of India including the (Dravidians A friend to all. Africans) who occupied the Jai Sears lives in Grenada, South of India. They were at one Caribbean. The above letter time the largest group of African was sent to us by our Trinidad outside Africa according to the & Tobago based Columnist Dr late Professor Ivan Sertima in his Kumar Mahabir. book. ‘Africa’s Gifts to Asia.’ The offending Letter that Gandhi Jayanti appeared in The New Today of If Indians in Grenada choose Grenada: to celebrate the birthday of their Jai Sears leader Ghandi, they are free to Earlier this year, our brothers do so in their own homes, but not and sisters in Ghana, West Africa, among our young children who pulled down a statue of the late P should be celebrating the life and M Ghandi from their University, times of those who fought against following pressure from the the evil system of the apartheid public who thought Ghandi was regime in South Africa.” a racist who supported the apartheid system in South Africa. should be removed from its The bust of this racist man An Old Quote present location and thrown in The following is a quote by the “dustbin of history.” Ghandi dated March 7, 1908: Hindu Council marks International Volunteers Day Fun, Food and Accolades in Lower Hutt Kiran Thakar Hindu Council of New Zealand (HCNZ) Wellington Chapter celebrated International Volunteers Day (IV Day) on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at Naenae Community Hall in Lower Hutt, Wellington. IV Day is a United Nations led initiative celebrated on December 5 every year. The theme for IV Day 2017 was “Volunteers Act First. Here. Everywhere.” The theme was in recognition of the efforts of volunteers around the world, as well as a tribute to the support that volunteers provide in times of instability, disasters or humanitarian crises. Volunteers make a world of difference by donating their talent and time. Fun and Games The event was well attended by adults and children despite it being a busy time of the year with end of year functions and sports. We organised many enjoyable Members of the Hindu Council with Volunteers at the event (Picture supplied) games with the participation of said, “No matter how developed about 40 adults and children. a country is, without volunteers, Among them were traditional, it cannot function. Finally, the rural Indian games like Kabaddi, satisfaction one gets from giving Kho-Kho and Bhajia. is also the highest duty one can The day ended with a picnic perform in his or her life time. feast of delicious mouth-watering Accordingly, although it is my duty to thank all our volunteers, one dishes on the beautiful Sundrenched lawn with a mild needs to be equally proud and be cooling breeze on a stunning thankful to the creator to give one afternoon. and all the best life possible.” Our special guest was Elizabeth The Hindu Council of New Young, National Strategic Ethnic Zealand was accorded a Special Advisor, Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Consultative Status with United Services, New Zealand Police. Nations Economic and Social Elizabeth shared the work that Council (ECOSOC) in 2012. she does at New Zealand Police The Council is now a part of the and had fun joining in with the Non-Governmental Organisations activities. Branch of the United Nations. Auckland based HCNZ President Vinod Kumar, in his message work of HCNZ This is a recognition for the volunteers.
DECEMBER 15, 2017 Businesslink 13 CONSCIOUS BEAUTY COLLECTIVE Natural beauty store. Makeup Consultations. Detox your beauty routine. belleandsage.com belleandsage
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