Last night in the centrum, while listening to the delightful Rosario strings, I had a conversation with a man from Scotland who was very interested in finding his way around Auckland. So after giving him a few pointers, I asked him what he thought about Britain leaving the EU. At first he qualified himself by saying he had voted to stay in the EU, but went to say that it probably will wind up being good for the UK, and it was very good that they had retained the British pound, not taken on the Euro. I was interested to hear why he thought as he did, and he went on to say that there may be a couple of years of turmoil, but they will be ultimately better off, and will form new economic alliances, much the way NZ had to in 1973 when Britain ditched all the Commonwealth countries when it joined the common market. He could see new economic alliances springing up with NZ, Australia and Canada, but possibly not the US under Trump.I said that was a leap too far at this stage, as Trump will be something of an unknown, at least to us. However, he did say that he felt that ultimately the euro would not remain in its present form, because it is fixed. (I did not know that) I am concerned at the growing influence by the northern states of Europe over the southern ones, and increasing dominance over the other member states by Germany. He then went on to say that the EU wants it's own military, led of course by Germany. He likened this situation to Germany in 1937. Now 80 years is a very long time, and much has changed in that time. A wise man once said those who ignore the lessons of history, are destined to relive it. Do we ignore the lessons of two world wars?
Now not being one to take things at face value, I thought it wise to ask how others saw this situation, and naturally I got another point of view.
So at dinner I asked Martin how he saw the issue. Being from continental Europe he felt the world had changed greatly in the last 80 years, and that Europe possibly did need it's own military. He felt it was not possible for Germany to rise again, but I am not so sure.
I went on to ask him about the recent migration into Europe, he felt that it was a very good thing, as the population was unable to replace it's self with such a low birth rate now. I asked whether Germany was so welcoming of these people as they worked doing the jobs locals would not? We agreed that probably happens all over the world, that migrant labour often fills the gaps that locals will not. On the subject of the recent migrants over the last couple of years, he felt the genuine ones were let in, and the ones there for economic reasons were sent home, but the Dutch government paid for them to return in a civilized fashion. He went on to say that Holland has always been welcoming to migrants and refugees through the ages, and I know that is true.
I then asked him if Europe has its own military, where did he see the threat coming from? At first he suggested Russia, but I suggested they have enough of their own issues without taking on western Europe. Then he thought and suggested the biggest threat might be China, if not actually then economically. He thought about it some more and decided our biggest threats are coming from nature its self. Now this is certainly true in the case of NZ, earthquakes are certainly our biggest threat right now. Oh well it is always good to get another perspective.
One thing I am sure of though, if you have a vast influx especially when the culture is so different, there will ultimately be a settling down period, and integration may not be pretty. Look at he former Yugoslavia, and what happened 80 years later.
In that aspect I think Turkey has done a magnificent job of taking in so many Syrian refugees, and should be helped. But what of other Arab counties, I.e. Saudi Arabia, , what have they done to help? Some food for thought.
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