In a message of 03 May 96 Rod Speed wrote to Jorge Garcia:

 SF>> Can't say that I'm a great follower of Government owned businesses
 SF>> particularly with the corruption and massive free handouts which would
 SF>> never be given to private ent.

     While I also believe that Governemnts, generally, would be well served
to get out of running businesses, I don't for a moment think that
government businesses have a monopoly on corruption and free handouts. 

     There are just too many examples of sweetheart deals, the old boy's
network, and plain out corruption and theft by major private sector figures
to make such a proposition highly questionaable.

 JG>> However, privatisation should not be carried out without proper
 JG>> thought, on an ideological whim, or to pay for election promises made
 JG>> on environmental issues.

 RS> It aint a whim, its a recognition that nothing else exposes an operation
 RS> to real competition and achieve real efficiency.

     Privatisation per se does very little, if at all anything, to improve
the efficiency and competitiveness of a Government business.  It's the
increased competition which normally acompanies privatisation which is the
major benefit. Else, it would just involve the transfer of a monoploy from
Govenment ownership to private ownership, which at the best of times is a
horrific prospect.


    
        // Cheers 
      \X/  Arthur                 Port Macquarie - best climate in Australia

... PENTIUM SLOGAN:  Why Do You Think It's Called *Floating* Point?
--- Spot 1.3a #388