Discriminatory Fees

I would like to take issue with Mr Abu Sajed regarding his views on overseas students and discriminatory fees. He is of the opinion that an overseas student has no rights apart from that accorded to a visitor (Salient 2/7/79) and has no right to an education unless depednent on diplomatic status. Such a statement on his part shows that he is quite confused as to the basis of his stay in New Zealand. An overseas student is in all respects a resident, not a visitor. His period of residency is subjected only to the conditions of his student permit and not because he or the possesses a passport recognised by the New Zealand Government. A resident in accordance with the United Nations and international conventions should be subjected to the same rights and laws at the citizen in the country in which the person is residing.

To transform the question of discriminatory fees into one of 'rights and privileges' again shows your lack of understanding of the issue. No one has any doubts that the Government can do whatever it pleases. What in effect the Muldoon Government has done is to put up different rules for different people in regards to entry, into tertiary institutions on the basis of nationality. Is this desirable?

The only criteria for having to pay $1500 depends on where you come from without regard to individual circumstances. This is a complete reversal of the government policy of taking in students from as varied a background as possible, irrespective of wealth. The arbitrary manner in which this new ruling is implemented may set dangerous precedents. What will happen when the economic situation gets worse? Will the government tell prospective workers from the Islands that they can come to New Zealand only if they promise not to use the health facilities since things are so tough? Perhaps the next step would be to make Islanders and other non-citizens pay for their children's primary education, who knows?

Mr Sajed it alto of the view that if New Zealand has taken a part in 'siphoning' off a country's wealth then it hat a moral duty to help that country, i.e. a moral duty can only arise when there it a colonial relationship. This is definitely a far-cry from Islamic or Christian principle! Surely this places too heavy a burden on the Conquistadors? Anyways lest he forgets New Zealand did have a committment to Malaysia and Singapore in the past. New Zealand forces were actively engaged in military actions against the Malaysian people throughout the 50's and 60's. This has resulted in the stabilisation of a corrupt and undemocratic government in both countries. Now the New Zealand Government has decided to cater for the elite of both Malay and Singaporeans by selling them education at the beastly turn of $1,500.

I want to make it perfectly clear that there's no way I'll ever be grateful to a government which has consistently smeared and attacked overseas students for no apparent reasons apart from perper-tuating lies. My sympathy to you Mr Sajed for you have eyes yet failed to see. Like you say education it a privilege yet you have failed to learn.