Britain For Sale.

[happy daze john in oz]

Tony it is funny how some things are percieved. #63. In 1994 as food services manager at Victoria University here in Melbourne, I was approached by the Islamic Students Association requesting I include Hal Al food on the menus. To the disgust of some of my staff I agreed. As a result of my actions the Malaysian gov reccomened that any student wishing to study in Australia come to our uni, as we were at that time the only one offering Hal Al foods.
Australia a country built on migration since the first fleet in 1778, now with over 135 countries represented. Most assimilate and find work. Howvere there is a small minority, mainly from the refugee groups claiming they have come here to escape persecution from the laws and customs of their home land. Yet the same people then want those laws and customs intergrated into our laws. It is this that offends the local population and turns them against these people. Sadly then all of that group get tarred with the same brush even though only a small group are like this.
I tend to speak my mind, that may upset some but I think to be brutaly honest is better than to hide behind platitudes.

[Tony Morcom]

........I tend to speak my mind, that may upset some but I think to be brutaly honest is better than to hide behind platitudes.

I agree John and sometimes wish I still had that luxury

[Tony Morcom]

Jim, I agree with you as well. Unfortunately though most companies do not have the luxury of being able to afford better wages as their supply prices are being squeezed. Its just a vicious circle that is virtually impossible to break.

[Jim Brady]

There are two wage scales.The minimum wage of £6.19 per hour which is compulsary.Party Leaders are calling for a living wage rate to be adopted across Britain,this is £7.45 or £8.55 per hour in London.MP's are calling bosses to adopt this rate yet 1 in 3 MP's dont pay their staff this living wage.About 100 employers have already signed up to the living wage with dozens more on the way which means big rises on the way for thousands of workers.Last week the minimum wage went up by 8 PENCE PER HOUR.big deal. Tony do you remember when the minimum wage came out lots of companies said they would have to close down,I dont think many did.I dont know how a man could bring up a family present day on the wages being paid this is the reason that they stay on benefits because they are far bettter off.WHAT IS THE ANSWER!!!!
Regards.
Jim.B.

[George]

Jim, mate what a good debate you have started, a debate where no one person is right or wrong. But for me I feel that the last War is to blame for many of to-days problems, around the world. The wholesale slaughter of the Jews, Gypsies and any other undesirables, by the Germans under Hitler, who also had his own people put down, if they were found to be mentally unfit. The Japanese who seem to get off lightly for there atrocities in China, and the far Eastern territories they captured. So when it all finished, and the horrors of that war digested by our then leaders, including the use of the only two Atomic bombs ever used to date in war. I also feel that the reason the Korean war ended in a stalemate was that the three Great powers America, China, and Russia could see World War Three in the making, and pulled back, and that ever since, right or wrong, through the offices of the United Nations, the worlds leaders have strived and are striving to prevent a world catastrophe on a scale that many of us could not imagine. Hence Brians Lima agreement, and its consequences. that other contributors have well aired, in this good debate
George
in Southampton

[Lou Barron]

While i agree with some of these posts about the state Britain is in ..Most of you guys would not no much about Britain before the war i do i was only a kid but i can still remember the poverty that was very much so and the class distinction between the working class and upper class that was very prevalent in them days but the war seem to sort that out a bit .Things was not very bright after the war but it was to improve .I have been ask a few times why did i leave Britain well it was to meet the woman who to be my best mate for nearly 64 years .When the wifeand i went on a trip to see our daughter who married a POM (and a very good one)i was amazed at the change there was nearly everyone had their own house and a car and overall i was very empressed..One of my mates who was on the G/Castle and was in the same pow camp with me we met in 1993 and my wifeand i stayed with them for a few days and we had some very interesting yarns he told that things could not be better .He did mention about the bludgers ( we have them here ) things was ok .But not living there i supposei would miss a lot of the things that goes on in Britain.But i have one thing to say that life is what you make it make the best of it








VE

[happy daze john in oz]

Correct Lou in your assesment of the situation after the war. Rationing went on until 1953, something the kids of today will never know or understand. Maybe consumerism took over the western world. China relies on the west buying to keep them going. Stores need the customers to keep returning, it is a vicious circle with no ending. By 2020 China will be the number one economy in the world, how will the USA and others react to that one wonders! Whilst wages in the west are part of the problem, many of the retailers and manufacturers must also take some of the blame. For example, a new phone or i pad comes out, every one wants one. So it goes on, like a dog chasing it's tail. Noi matter how high min wages are they will never be enough. How long before a loaf of bread costs a days wages, or a pint of milk at $10 each? That day is coming and is closer than many think.

[Keith Tindell]

How many of us moaned about the ship we were on at the time, but deep down knew we were in a good position,and now look on it as the best part of our lives, and much the same goes for this country, moaning is a way of life. I have done a huge amount of travel in the last few years, since i retired, and am always pleased to get back to the good old UK. we have a lot of good things in this country, ok some things need sorting out, but i would not consider living anywhere else, good old blighty, KT

[David Williams]

This is what happens when you "go public",anyone with
enough money can buy shares,and dont forget that most
of these Companies were sold by their BRITISH owners,or
moved abroad for bigger returns on their outlay,its all about
£ and $ signs.
Dave Williams

[John Pruden]

David how many companies beginning with British is still going we the tax payer owned them and the governments of the day sold them off? we are about to pay up to 50 million to sort out red tape over the railway fiasco even though its not british rail anymore what list is that under goverment cuts dos that come under?jp