Post by lesterpk on Oct 15, 2009 9:15:30 GMT 12
Heather Roy gave a speech to the NZ Defence Industry meeting, unusually without typical greeny tree huggers protesting outside. Here are her opening remarks......
Thank you for inviting me to deliver the keynote address at your 12th Defence Industry Forum.
I was half-expecting protesters to be at the entrance to the hotel today. We were graced with their presence at the Upper Hutt public consultation meeting for the Defence Review where they were practicing their spring theatrics.
I'm mindful, when encountering protesters, of those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. Without the gallant and selfless sacrifice of our veterans, the right to free speech and protest would not exist. Without the means to supply servicemen and women with the right equipment and training, they could not have been victorious.
There is a perception amongst people like those protesting that defence suppliers just make tanks, guns, warships and bombers. Of course, the truth is very different. Your company activities include aviation, electronics, communications, fabrication, facilities management, OSH, information technology, consumables, marine, mechanical, project management, simulation and training.
The farce of protesting against Defence industry is that were they to stop using all the products and services of companies represented in this room they would be without telephones, internet, tramping and outdoor supplies and many travel options, to mention just a few.
No doubt, since the employed are working on a Tuesday morning, and most students are preparing for exams, the protestors must be independently wealthy and the loss of these choices may be of lesser impact to them than to you and me.
No group desires peace more than those who must risk their own lives in its pursuit. However, if peace is the absence of war then the world has not been at peace for a very long time and the 'peace dividend' that many seek to claim does not exist.
Thank you for inviting me to deliver the keynote address at your 12th Defence Industry Forum.
I was half-expecting protesters to be at the entrance to the hotel today. We were graced with their presence at the Upper Hutt public consultation meeting for the Defence Review where they were practicing their spring theatrics.
I'm mindful, when encountering protesters, of those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. Without the gallant and selfless sacrifice of our veterans, the right to free speech and protest would not exist. Without the means to supply servicemen and women with the right equipment and training, they could not have been victorious.
There is a perception amongst people like those protesting that defence suppliers just make tanks, guns, warships and bombers. Of course, the truth is very different. Your company activities include aviation, electronics, communications, fabrication, facilities management, OSH, information technology, consumables, marine, mechanical, project management, simulation and training.
The farce of protesting against Defence industry is that were they to stop using all the products and services of companies represented in this room they would be without telephones, internet, tramping and outdoor supplies and many travel options, to mention just a few.
No doubt, since the employed are working on a Tuesday morning, and most students are preparing for exams, the protestors must be independently wealthy and the loss of these choices may be of lesser impact to them than to you and me.
No group desires peace more than those who must risk their own lives in its pursuit. However, if peace is the absence of war then the world has not been at peace for a very long time and the 'peace dividend' that many seek to claim does not exist.
