In the wake of Helen Clark's support for a whale sanctuary in the South Pacific, Libertarianz spokesman Richard McGrath called instead for the opposite - the sale of whaling rights within New Zealand's economic zone.

"Allowing sustainable whaling would ensure the survival of the species," he said. "New Zealanders, as well as people overseas, should be free to enjoy a whale meat entree before tucking into a healthy feed of kiwi and wood pigeon, if that is what they want."

"It works for sheep and cattle, doesn't it?" he asked. "We slaughter millions of them and export their frozen carcasses. Yet I don't see them on this country's list of endangered species."

"To protect the whale, breeding and farming of these animals should be encouraged, as it has been with the elephant and the rhinoceros, " suggested McGrath.

"Given the financial incentives of private ownership and tradable hunting rights protected by the rule of law, people won't hunt these animals into extinction."

"The whaling industry played a significant part in New Zealand's history," McGrath added. "Helen Clark has a golden opportunity to revitalise this potentially lucrative foreign exchange earner, create jobs for New Zealanders, and protect native species in the process. But you can bet she won't."

It's enough to make you vote Libertarianz!

ENDS

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