Refugee

The refugee crisis in Europe has brought great pressure on the Key government to lift the quota from 750. The quota has not changed for nearly 30 years. Labour are calling for an increase in the quota to 1000, plus, an emergency intake over and above that. Notably, Helen Clark, now at the UN, never touched the quota when tens of millions of displaced people were in desperate need around the world. What's changed of course is that Labour are now in opposition.

Some media have been giving the PM a hell of a time more or less demanding we take more refugees, parroting the opposition attack, and the PM has softened his stance. Expect a decision to lift the quota anytime.

I have always said I don't see an issue with a modest lift in refugees who have been carefully screened, and who can assimilate and contribute to our country. But unlike some, I like to look at consequences. I think the government does too. Many in the media don't do consequences very well. In fact, it's not even on their radar.

The Hungarian Prime Minister says this... "those arriving have been raised in another religion, and I represent a radically different culture. Most of them are not Christians, but Muslims. This is an important question, because Europe and European identity is rooted in Christianity". Clearly the Hungarian PM is worried about unintended consequences. Hungary doesn't want them. That is their right, just as it's Germany's right to take 800,000.

The coverage is oblivious to Russia and the Gulf states - why aren't they doing their bit to take some of these refugees? - after all, they've helped create the mess in the first place - Russia in helping Assad, and some of the Gulf States supporting IS.

Anyway the mayors from around the country have written to the PM calling on the Government to double the refugee quota. Wellington is especially bullish. They've been talking to their housing team and it's all go.

Flag

The big reveal this week with the four choices of flags to see which one will run-off against the current one.

Everyone has a view, I just think the outcome was design by committee and rather amateur. I've always thought that the nations flag was too important to be put out to tender by way of a competition. A specialist design team should have been engaged. The current flag therefore has a reasonable chance of being retained.

Sringboks

Race raised its ugly head in South Africa with a political party trying to block the Springboks from going to Rugby World Cup. Not enough blacks in the team they say. The squad selected has 29% black players and the rule laid down by the government is 30%. Apartheid was wrong. It rightly got kicked for touch. Race quota's while not apartheid are insidious. They don't have a white quota for their football team and so they shouldn't. A black quota for the Springboks is stupid and I'm not convinced that is what nelson Mandela would have wanted.

Jetstar

Jetstar announced its going to fly on some regional routes - Nelson, Napier, New Plymouth and Palmerston North. There was much celebrating in the provinces and for sure competition is a great thing, but Jetstar's prices are not sustainable long term. You can't make a profit with a one way flight from New Plymouth to Auckland of $49. I doubt you can make a profit at double that price. A quick Google of flights in other countries shows similar flights between $120 and $170. Stuff did a comparison between Jetstar and Air NZ on the domestic routes and found that Air NZ on the whole was cheaper. I just can't see two airlines sustaining four flights a day to some of these centres. It's hard to believe the demand is there. It would be a good bet that Jetstar has been offered incentives to fly some of the routes. Local ratepayers will pick up the tab for that. All smoke and mirrors.