| WELLINGTON: The Government has today announced a strategy designed to attract young New Zealand graduates living overseas to return home to New Zealand. In a controversial move, the government aims to ensure the widespread availability of designer drugs, and will investigate introducing subsidies on ecstasy and cocaine. The Government has come under fire recently with the Business Round Table funded "Lost Generation" advertising campaign. Student debt and a lack of jobs were sited as the main deterrents to returning home according to the Young New Zealander's group, but Prime Minister Helen Clark says that the unavailability of reasonably priced Adam and Charlie is the real reason young Kiwis are staying away. "To Kiwis accustomed to paying less than £10 (NZ$30) for a pill in London, coming back and paying up to $100 in Auckland is a real disincentive to returning" said Clark. By subisdising recreational drugs, Clarke hopes to stem the flow of young People migrating overseas. It is envisaged that any returning New Zealander's will be given a welcome home pack containing five pills, three tabs and a gram of Cocaine. They will also be able to purchase any additional gear from Work & Income NZ Offices throughout the country by the end of this year. After last November’s election, Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton appealed for New Zealanders to return home and help rebuild their country. However, when contacted today for comment, Immigration New Zealand said that only eleven New Zealander's had returned from London since Mr Anderton’s heartfelt plea. |
| Government Announces Incentives for Kiwis to Return Home |
Sunday, 01 October 2000 12:00
