WYSIWYG NEWS 1 September 1994

Newsgroups:

soc.culture.new-zealand

---- WYSIWYG NEWS -----copyright - Brian Harmer -------------------------

The first day of spring in Wellington dawned bright, clear and frosty,
and blossomed into one of those days when you remember why you feel glad
to be alive.

The week went by quickly, and a lot seems to have happened, so let's get 
to it:

ANDERTON TO TALK ALLIANCE POLICY WITH MONEY MARKETS
---------------------------------------------------

Alliance Leader Jim Anderton caused a stir when he said that he did not
care much what the money markets thought of the Alliance and its policies.
This caused some market jitters when it became possible that the Selwyn
by-election might fall to the Alliance. Although Anderton still asserts
that the elected government ought not be unduly influenced by speculators,
he is attempting to allay some of the fear and revulsion syndrome by 
accepting invitations to address various groupings of influential 
marketeers.

FARMERS BLOCKADE CLOSED WORKS
-----------------------------

Farmers in Whangarei have blockaded the freezing works which closed in the 
collapse of the Weddel chain. They assert that the contract under which 
they sell stock to the works stipulates that title does not pass to the 
company until payment is made after all the inspection processes. On this 
basis they say that the receiver has no right to sell meat in the 
freezing chambers and distribute the proceeds to the secured creditors.
The stock and any money to be had from its sale should go to the farmers, 
they say. 

Despite the assurance of the receiver that any money gained will be put
to one side pending legal resolution of that point, the farmers are 
suspicious, and have chained the works gates shut, and are turning away 
any vehicle which turns up to collect the meat. 

In an unlikely partnership, freezing workers are on the picket line in 
support of the farmers. They have made it plain that they hope for 
reciprocal support when they come to deal with the meat industry in a bid
to avert further job losses.

MAORI CHALLENGE MAY DELAY MMP
-----------------------------

The way in which the enrollment for the Maori rolls was conducted has 
been challenged in court, with counsel for the Maori alleging that the
two month time span allotted was inadequate, and that many Maori were
not aware that an important option was being exercised. Commentators 
in the media predict that if the case is successful, and the roll is 
re-opened, and the number of MAori seats under MMP is re-calculated,
there will be a delay to the introduction of MMP.

FLAT FINES FOR LATE TAX RETURNS
-------------------------------

The Inland Revenue Department is proposing to introduce a flat fine 
of $50 for any late tax returns. They are also proposing severe penalties
for what it sees as any sophisticated attempts at evasion. This latter
point was raised in response to the Cook Islands scheme.

ENERGY PROVIDERS UNITE
----------------------

Two of the country's largest energy utilities are to unite in a move which
energy lobbyist Molly Melhuish predicts will cause a 40% increase in retail
electricity in the next few years. The companies concerned are Energy Direct,
(which provides electricity to Lower Hutt, parts of Wellington and the 
Kapiti Coast) with Power New Zealand (an amalgam of the former Waitemata
and Thames Valley electric Power Boards). The merger will make this the 
largest supplier by far, and includes capital from US based Utilicorp,
and the Todd corporation.

FLETCHER CHALLENGE PROFIT
-------------------------

The county's largest multinational, Fletcher Challenge announced a profit
of $675 million.  Despite the fact that the figure was boosted by asset
sales, there was anger in some quarters that the company paid only $13 
million in tax.

PARK ACCESS FEE PROPOSED
------------------------

Reports prised out of the Department of Conservation under the Official 
Information Act proposes that walkers on the major tracks in national parks 
should be charged fees of several hundred dollars for the privilege. The 
scheme which was hatched by Ernst and Young on behalf of the Department
of Commerce would require changes to present legislation which allows DoC
to charge modest fees for the use of huts, and nothing for access to the 
parks themselves. Interested bodies such as the Federated Mountain Clubs, 
and the Royal Forest and Bird Society are kicking up hell. 
(Damn right too! - BH :-I)

BANKS UPSETS MAORI
------------------

Whangarei MP John Banks has got offside with Maori over his cavalier 
refusal to answer any question addressed to him in Maori at question
time in the house. Maori MPs are trying to draw attention to the
fact that Maori is an official language of New Zealand, and one in which
the business of parliament may be conducted. The series of questions
posed ask (in Maori) what the minister is doing to implement official
Government policy of fostering Te Reo. Banks is having nothing to do with
the questions, saying that to have the language forced down his throat 
had put him off having anything to do with the Maori Language.  He said
"if anyone is interested in embracing the Maori language, they will do so
because they want to ... I don't".

Maori MP Tau Henare (NZ First - Northern Maori) has accused Banks of 
being nasty, racist, and bigoted. This is taking place in what is 
officially Maori Language Year.


MORE CONSERVATION LAND
----------------------

9,000 hectares of high country pastoral land in the remarkables have been
set aside for conservation purposes. The existing grazing leases will not 
be renewed.

UPROAR OVER NAME SUPPRESSION
----------------------------

A paedophile health professional convicted in Auckland had his name 
permanently suppressed by the judge. A huge outcry has followed this 
decision. It is asserted by some, including parliamentarians, that someone
who was of a lower socio-economic status would not have fared so well.
MP Phil Goff has threatened to name the person in parliament under 
parliamentary privilege. This will still not achieve his objective, as it
will still be illegal for any of the media to publish the name.

ASSET TESTING POLICY IN BREACH OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACT
--------------------------------------------------

The Human Rights Commission has released a discussion paper in response 
to complaints from several sources about the Governement's controversial
asset testing policy. The policy which forces elderly long stay patients
to sell their assets to pay for their health care. This was seen as 
discriminatory when compared with treatment of younger citizens. 

The government has so far not yeilded to this lates assault on their policy.

AMERICAS CUP LAUNCH
-------------------

Peter Blake's entry for the America's Cup challenge is due to be launched
on Saturday. Here we go again ...

LAMENTS OVER SPORTS FUNDING
---------------------------

Former Olympian, John Walker has led the charge for more government funding 
for New Zealand athletes in the wake of their comparative whitewash by the 
hugely successful Australian team. As he points out, to be a successful
athlete requires more time than is available while doing a part time job,
and causes the athletes to miss out on the pleasures of house and family.
(Sounds like a soul mate for the people who want discounts and subsidies in
other areas - the only place the money can come from is taxpayers - BH)

MORE TELECOM REDUNDANCIES
-------------------------

380 more Telecom workers will be laid off by Telecom as they extract 
themselves from teh sale of small business equipment. This adds to the
4,000 already discarded by the now American owned company. 

GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO SHORTEN DOLE STAND-DOWN FOR WEDDEL WORKERS
----------------------------------------------------------------

Despite the clear special circumstances of the 2,300 Weddel workers 
who have near zero chance of re-employment, the Government is refusing to
waive the six-week stand down before the dismissed workers can receive the
dole. A private members bill may be introduced to force the issue. 



------
enough for this week

Next week I'm on leave staying in Taupo, and visiting Whakapapa with my 
kids. If you see a fit looking fellow on skis, that's not me, on two counts.



Brian H
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