Peters Takes Aim At Alleged Benefits of FTA

Tuesday, 8 April 2008, 5:47 pm
Article: Kevin List

Peters Takes Aim At Alleged Benefits of FTA

Scoop Image manipulated by Lyndon Hood

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NZ First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters told reporters at a press conference this afternoon there was not enough gains for New Zealand in a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China for NZ First MPs to support it. Mr Peters went on to debate what he would say as Foreign Minister with reporters for some time thereafter.

Mr Peters was at pains to point out, that in his opinion ,the Free Trade Agreement and his being Foreign Minister were mutually exclusive.

Mr Peters told reporters that he would have no difficulty conveying his reasons for not supporting the FTA when wearing his hat as Foreign Minister – even to his counterparts in the Chinese Government.

The concept of free trade and its benefits to New Zealand was also attacked by Mr Peters, particularly the efforts of Former Finance Minister Roger Douglas in the 1980s.

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Foreign Minister /New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters at todays' press conference

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Listen to audio of Winston Peters press conference Tuesday, 9 April 2008

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