The Editor
Evening Standard
22 February 1999

Dear Sir

I was very pleased to read your Editorial on the 30 March Employment Summit (Saturday, 20 February). Many thanks for giving it your support.

I have worked in the field of employment generation and support in this city and elsewhere since the early 1980s and am not aware of any Employment Summit being held in that period, apart from that organised nation-wide by the Labour Government in 1985 in Wellington. That was an amazing affair at all levels, especially because of the degree of consensus and unanimity across all sectors for the conclusions and recommendations which came from it.

I know the potential for such a wide consensus exists in Palmerston North.

The Editorial concluded with the comment that the line-up of speakers was devoid of employers. If this was so it would indeed be worthy of comment.

I am pleased to advise that the line-up of speakers is dominated by employers, some large, some small, most currently, some previously. Further, most have created their own employment and several have taken a leadership role in creating and facilitating employment opportunities for others.

Care has been taken in their selection to make sure that a number of the major sectors in the community are represented, by people who have a track record in employment generation and promotion.

We welcome all comers to the Summit, particularly those who have some ideas and some energy to help put them into practice.

We don't want another talk shop - we want to have some action. That is what the Summit is about, kicking the ball off with enough people willing to form teams to carry it forward. There is not one answer to creating sustainable, well-paying jobs, there are many and they operate at many levels and many teams of players will be needed to score the goal.

When the Prime Ministerial Task Force on Employment came to town, the purpose was to provide direction for central government. The purpose of our Summit is to create an environment for action in this community. Together we can make a big difference.

Yours sincerely

Ian Ritchie
Summit Co-organiser