You can't fool Shadbolt (for long)

In this week's Mayoral Moments column in the Southland Express newspaper, Invercargill mayor, Tim Shadbolt shows why it is he's risen to the top of local government in the part of the world - he's no fool and not easily fooled. Water, reticulation and the control of both has long been subject to his mayoral scrutiny and comment and he's warned of the inevitable privatization of our shared resource. In his column he goes further than before, describing the insidious way in which the idea is being foisted upon us by the Government. Shadbolt says;  "The Government has already started to invent a new language for this concept whereby larger successful cities will inherit the problems of a small rural town. It's called 'clubbing', 'harmonisation' or 'network pricing'. I believe we are witnessing the thin edge of the wedge of the privatization of all New Zealand water reticulation, including irrigation."

I share, and have shared for some time, Tim's view on the issue of water privatisation. He's bold enough to say that it's happening befroe our eyes, but that it's wrapped in clever words, so as not to alarm us. We ought to be alarmed. Shadbolt goes on to make this interesting statement:
"I had respected John Key because he seemed to be motivated by good old Kiwi common sense rather than ideological dogma." If there's one thing mayor Shadbolt and I do differ on, it's that point, though it looks as though he's finally seen through Key's pretence.
With regard Tim's 'inventing a new language' comment, I have to mention Fonterra and the Federated Farmers who are busy 'reforming' the language around farming, by diluting down the required standard from "best practice" to "good practice". Seems if you can't meet the standards required these days, you just lower the bar by fiddling with words! Watch out for it. It's happening all over. Remember Key's "New Zealand is New Zealand's brand, not 'clean and green'.
Sneaky Mr Key.