not about coffee

Don · October 2006

I've just returned from a weekend camping in Noosa, and what I'm about to say has been bugging me for so long I can't remember. Just about everything I picked up - shorts, shirts, a bucket, a lamp, etc, I could give you a list as long as my arm.....all made in China. When are we going to wake up, that we are killing this country, importing all this crap. We should be making it here. Yes I know the problems relating to cost etc, my wife nad I have a friend who markets childrens clothes, she held on until the death knock, before having to go to,....you guessed it, China to produce her lines, or shut down her business. It saddens me to think that in this great country of ours, we can't compete with countries like China.

Don

Reschsmooth · October 2006

Don, the only comment I can make is that it is not necessarily a bad thing to have low-value add industries offshore where the cost of labour, capital and other inputs are cheaper, and have higher value-add industries (notably service industries) here. What is silly is growing cotton here (which is very high in water usage, as I understand) and then exporting the cotton overseas to then only import the final product. Ideally, in a way, the overseas concerns would be owned by Australian interests so the profits are repatriated here. P

Don · October 2006

I understand what you are saying RS, and I agree toa certain extent, it's just that we appear to be getting swamped with products from China. It's pretty sad when you pick up the paper each day and read how so many of our manufacturing companies are struggling, and walk into a store and see the same stuff manufactured in China. It's very difficult for companies here to compete, because Australians cannot afford to work as cheaply as the Chinese, one of the curses of western society, we have been educated into too good a way of living. Swimming pools, plasma tv's etc. Unfortunately one day we are going to pay the price for this. Don

kopi-0 · October 2006

One conveniently forgets reciprocity in exports. The chinese import our BHP steel and other minerals; if they decided not to import anymore tomorrow - where would that leave the Australian mining industry?

askthecoffeeguy · October 2006

Also, one has the choice to buy imported products or not, although, admittedly, you would be paying a premium for local produce. Its a bit like the cat licking the cream, don't you think, to say "I don't like all that import crap - but I buy it anyway!" Besides, why single out China? Surely that country is entitled to its own industrial revolution, just as we have had ours? And what about those nasty Italians! Hells teeth! They've practically cornered the market on espresso machines! ACG

Don · October 2006

Yep I realise we need reciprocal business, but I bet if you could see a balance sheet in imports and exports from China/Australia, it would weigh in the favour of China by far, and whilst I quoted as noting how many items I picked up were from China, which was 100%, the point I'm making is that I feel we are selling our own country down the drain, we can manufacture a lot of that stuff here, and used to, and we need to do it again. In case you haven't been watching the news, and some of CH2 programs - Four Corners etc, Australian employers are now bringing in labour from oversea's, sacking Aussie's and employing these people - because they will work cheaper. Never mind the poor old Aussie with house mortages and car payments, and kids to feed and educate........an automotive company(NSW) did exactly this, oh but the Aussie's could keep their jobs, if they took a forty per cent pay cut and less annual leave....come on guys, look at the big picture, if something isn't done, your kids kids, will be working for THEM! Don

askthecoffeeguy · October 2006

Yes, I hear you, brother. My heart goes out for the .05 per cent of the population who are adversely affected by the MASSIVE importation of foreign labour. It's no wonder that so called 'real aussies' are falling all over themselves to work in those low skilled, low income jobs, like taxi driving, fruit picking, and construction labouring, whilst those darned migrants prop up our economy with their cheap labour! Wow, if I didn't know better, I would assume that your blathering on about the bloody nips had racist overtones? But that couldn't be right now? Could it? Shame the bottom dropped out of our manufacturing industry 30 years ago. Although, I suppose it's convenient to live in the past, just ask John Howard! It's a good thing that we've moved on in the world, though, to embrace the service sector, and value-added high tech industries, gives us an opportunity to specialize in high skilled areas, and to export this technology and know how to other parts of the world. Still, I suppose it's convenient to cry in your cappuccino over the prospect of 'working for them' - whoever 'them' might be. If we got rid of all out 'cheap import crap' we'd be living in an empty tin shed, and walking to work. ACG

Anthony · November 2006

Don't even waste your breath AGC. This Don character is the same guy, who on another post stated that SNIGGER = s blackman. Get it??

Lovey · November 2006

Don't even waste your breath AGC. This Don character is the same guy, who on another post stated that SNIGGER = s blackman. Get it??

Reschsmooth · November 2006

There was a problem a while ago where the software used to change a word automatically - I forget which word it was, but from memory, it was fairly innocuous. P

admin · November 2006

Hi guys - yes, the theory of international trade is such that [apparently] if every country does the things they are best at - ie Australia grows wheat/produces wool (or uranium) or whatever, and China only manufactures things - because they have such cheap labour - then everyone will be better off [economically, at least]. The theory is great; the problem is that it doesn't take account of what the economists call 'externalities' - ie factors seemingly outside the equation. So for instance, it doesn't take account of the workers in manufacturing in other countries that lose their jobs because China can produce each unit more cheaply, nor does it take account of the health or welfare of each chinese worker, for that matter. Nor does it take account of the pollution that might arise because the chinese care only about making money and producing as many goods for export as possible; they already seem well on the way to destroying much of their own waterways and ecosystems and from what i understand, the air pollution in their major cities is unbelievable. Of course, this has an effect not only on their country, but on the world climate as well [ie gloal warming]. Sorry for this rave, but the bottom line is that while economic theory can be fine - in theory - it's not always great in practice!! -A

avitephen · December 2006

lol @ ACG ;D

askthecoffeeguy · December 2006

WHAT CAN I SAY - I CALL IT LIKE I SEE IT! [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

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