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The
Press
January 17, 2004
Scapegoats
Letter to the Editor
by Charles Clark, (Ashburton, Jan 15)
Sir--Sir Peter
Elworthy's years at the top of Federated Farmers during the deregulation of
our economy were indeed remarkable, given that, as you put it (January 13),
"such was the savageness of the change that many farmers sought scapegoats"
and he had to chart a skilful course to avoid becoming one.
Change accompanying the deregulation of the economy didn't stop at the farm
gate, of course, but rolled on over several years throughout the whole
economy, reaching into all corners of society.
The most high-profile scapegoat for the pain and distress associated with
change was neither a farming leader nor a politician, but someone from near
the bottom of the heap.
The civic creche imbroglio and the scapegoating of Peter Ellis seem increasingly
ridiculous as we begin to gain a sense of perspective on what were the very
difficult years of the late '80s and early '90s.
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