Copyright © 1995 Brian Harmer
We are still struggling, Helen and I, to coordinate our busy lives and the formatting of this newsletter despite a separation of 600 km or so. We will overcome these obstacles eventually.
Meanwhile, here in Wellington, we have had days which are bright and clear, flat calm, overcast, thundery, howling Southerly, hail storms and that is just before lunch. In the afternoon things became changeable. Well, I exaggerate just a little. When the days are wet as they have been for several of the last few days, driving to work is not a fun experience. The road is slick and wet, the spray from other vehicles carries road film onto windscreens, and inevitably two or more vehicles try the impossible, to occupy the same space at the same time. In the midst of this I have noticed a cyclist commuting, rain or shine, gale or calm. He is equipped with high intensity flashing red lights at the heel of each shoe, as well as on the bike itself. At the front, he has the brightest, most dazzling battery powered light I have ever encountered. The whole effect is not for him to see better, but that others may see, and therefore avoid running him down. I admire his courage on these ugly winter mornings.
On with the news:
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced by kind permission of copyright owner, IRN Ltd whose current news listing can be found at http://www.xtramsn.co.nz/news/
All material in parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter, or occasionally "HH" will indicate an opinion from Helen.
This week's formatting is sponsored by a generous donor who prefers anonymity.
It has been revealed there was no electricity at a Northland house which has been gutted by fire. A man's body was found in the ashes of the house at Pakotai approximately 25 kilometres from Kaikohe. The Fire Service says it was called to the blaze just before 8.30 last night. The house was completed gutted by fire. This incident has strong similarities to a blaze which claimed the lives of three children last month. Assistant Fire Regional Commander Mike Lister says he attended last month's fire at Herekino and the circumstances surrounding each blaze are similar. He says both houses had no electricity and candles were used for lighting. Neighbours say the victim of last night's blaze used candles for lighting and LPG for cooking. Mike Lister says sadly there are many lower socio-economic people, living in rural communities in Northland doing the best they can with what they have. Fire safety inspectors will arrive at the scene this morning to determine what caused the blaze.
Changes to the Government's controversial Superannuation Fund have been given the big tick by Cabinet today. Finance Minister Michael Cullen has adjusted the legislation for the fund, to meet the demands of New Zealand First, who want a provision so that in future there could be individual accounts for the scheme. Dr Cullen needs the support of New Zealand First to pass the Super bill after the Greens withdrew their support. He says the legislation only needed minor tweaking and will therefore not need to go back to Select Committee, and should be passed in Parliament later next month. Dr Cullen stressed that despite making the changes, Labour and the Alliance do not support individual accounts for a Super fund.
("Big tick"? Much as I personally approve of the course of action, I can't help but observe that this will squeak through the house with a bare majority, and will thus remain in the class of political footballs for evermore. - BH)
The Customs Service says its border controls have been alerted about the cigalett, a newly developed mint candy that contains as much nicotine as a cigarette. American scientists developed the cigalett to meet the demand from smokers facing smoking bans in the workplace, restaurants and other public areas. Customs spokeswoman Janice Rodenburg says the cigalett is different to other non- combustible tobacco products because users do not chew it and spit it out. Ms Rodenburg said importers could be prosecuted if they try to bring the product into New Zealand.
The Chairman of the new Global Dairy Company John Roadley says the next few weeks and months are going to be 'head down' for the dairy giant. More than 80-per cent of the shareholders of New Zealand Dairy Group and Kiwi Co-op Diaries voted today in favour of the new mega merger. Mr Roadley says the new company should be formally in business by October. He says legislation should be introduced into parliament this week and it will then go to a select committee. John Roadley says the business of both companies and the Dairy Board needs to be brought together and the new company needs a name; it will not continue to be called Global Co.
(I loved the cartoon in which two sardonic cow-cockies ponder on the merits of "MooCo" ... cow-cockie? That's kiwi for dairy farmer - BH)
A depositions hearing in Christchurch has heard that on the day murdered hitchhiker Lisa Blakie's body was found, her accused murderer turned up injured at a friend's place. Timothy Taylor arrived at the home of his Paparoa Prison cellmate Kevin Strange with a broken arm, black eyes and a stitched wound in his head. Taylor told Mr Strange that he'd had to go to hospital after being iron barred by another friend. Mr Strange says Taylor has always emphatically denied killing Lisa Blakie, though he admits giving her a ride and inserting her phone card into his mobile phone after finding it on the floor of his car. However, he also says there was usually so much rubbish on the floor of Taylor's car, passengers had to clear a space to put their feet on the floor. Meanwhile, on the application of the defence, the entire testimony of a former prostitute has been suppressed today.
Critically low levels in South Island hydro lakes are putting pressure on Lake Taupo. Generation manager for Mighty River Power Mike Kedian says the company is generating quite hard from Lake Taupo during peak hours in the afternoon and early evening to meet demand. He says Lake Taupo is only around 20% full in terms of hydro capacity. He says forecast winter rainfall is expected to boost levels, which are not causing the same concern as those in the South Island. Mike Kedian says draw off from Taupo is being cut right back at night to help conserve water.
(Alas, poor Taupo is less attractive from the road when the level is low ... and the weed draped rocks start to pong a little - BH)
Canterbury University says reports that it is facing a $20 million loss are inaccurate. The University's business and finance director Tom Gregg admits the university is facing a tough year. However he says their operating deficit is between $5 and 7 million. He says the $20 million figure is the University's cash position and does not take into account a $13 million psychology building which is being built. Tom Gregg says the poor financial situation has arisen because the university had planned on a growth in student numbers of 2.4% and the budget was based on that growth.
(A rose by any other name still perfumes all the air ... and a metaphorical chocolate fish to anyone who can give a source for that particular distortion of the Bard ... BH)
More than 4,000 New Zealanders are registered to own military-style semi-automatic weapons. Figures released under the Official Information Act show there are 4202 people who hold licences to own nearly 7,000 semi- automatics. However a police spokesman says it is impossible to know exactly how many weapons are in the country. Gun control lobbyists put the number at close to 15,000. Another 5,000 people are registered to own a restricted weapon, which includes machine guns.
New Zealand anti-globalisation activist Maire Leadbeater is furious with the reaction of Swedish police to demonstrations in Gothenburg over the weekend. The normally-peaceful city was turned into a virtual war zone as thousands protesters demonstrating at an EU summit battled with police. Ms Leadbeater says the Swedish police were very heavy-handed which is typical whenever people try to have their say about globalisation. Maire Leadbeater was arrested in Indonesia earlier this month while attending an anti-globalisation conference near Jakarta. She says it is not surprising that people get angry and frustrated with the police.
(I imagine the Swedish authorities are quaking in their boots at the thought of Ms Leadbeater's righteous wrath! The anti-globalisation protesters seem to believe that the right to protest extends to creating havoc and mayhem and that the police should make sure that they can do this unimpeded. It's an odd view of the world. - BH)
Police believe it is possible the killer of Tauranga man Noel McKenzie may have injured himself during the frenzied attack. The funeral for the 64-year-old is being held today. Detective Inspector Graham Bell says police do not know for a fact that Mr McKenzie's attacker is injured, but believes it is a strong possibility. He says detectives are checking hospitals and emergency departments to see if the killer has sought help. Graham Bell says nothing has turned up yet, but he encourages anyone who may information to contact the police. He says police have received a number of calls following yesterday's appeal from Mr McKenzie's family. He says some of the calls were useful. Meanwhile, detectives are still searching for pieces of clothing worn by the killer. 42 officers are now working on the case, they expect to complete their investigation of the crime scene later this week. Detective Inspector Bell says they are "digging in for a long haul".
A television news crew covering the Max Shannon murder trial in Christchurch has had the tyres of its vehicle slashed outside a gang headquarters. The Now TV news crew was filming the Highway 61 gang pad in the city when two gang members left the premises in a vehicle and stopped near the crew's van. When the crew returned they found two tyres had been punctured and deflated. The gang was apparently angry at having its headquarters filmed. A complaint has been laid with the police. Earlier, at the Christchurch High Court it was reported cellphone records are to play a key role in the prosecution case against the five Highway 61 members accused of the murder of Shannon. The Crown said the calls would help prove all five were part of the plan to kill Shannon, although only one fired the fatal shot. Crown lawyer James Rapley said the shooting in August last year was a retaliatory attack for a perceived loss of face by the Highway 61 members during a confrontation outside a nightclub two days beforehand. Shannon had threatened Highway 61 member Murray Simms, and the pair had fought with knives. Mr Rapley said the accused assisted each other to steal the car used in the drive by shooting, and obtain guns and ammunition. A former Highway 61 member granted immunity from prosecution is among the Crown witnesses. Simms pleaded guilty to murder earlier this month and has been sentenced to life imprisonment. The trial is expected to last up to six weeks.
There are claims a secret Bay of Plenty health report is suggesting drastic cutbacks. Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall says the District Health Board is faced with a ten-million dollar budget shortfall and is considering its options. He says included in the report are suggestions to downgrade surgery at Whakatane Hospital and halting services in Opotiki and Murupara. Mr Ryall also claims the report suggests a freeze on all wages and salaries, including nurses and doctors. He says the paper is frightening for the region, which has a rapidly growing population and major health needs.
(Freeze the wages and salaries, especially now that we know many of the senior management of the health authorities got big increases for their alleged increase in responsibilities. Yeah right. - BH)
The distributors of a weight loss product that has been forced off the shelves admit they did not attend to all the details. Shape Patch claims to help people lose weight simply by putting a patch on their arm. The product was withdrawn from sale this morning after the Ministry of Health said it had breached the Medicines Act. The ministry is advising people not to purchase the product, which was advertised in four major newspapers around the country yesterday. Shape Patch's distributors says it will not be supplied, promoted or advertised until the appropriate approvals are in place. They say they launched the product in New Zealand in good faith. Anyone who has placed an order for the product will be refunded.
Tranz Rail has rejected claims made by a major rail union that the Southerner passenger service between Christchurch and Invercargill is facing the axe. The Rail and Maritime Union is launching a campaign to ensure southern rail links are retained. The union says it believes the Southerner service will be scrapped and it says if that happens, freight services are also threatened. But Tranz Rail spokesman Jeremy Kirk says the company's made no secret of its plan to sell its long distance passenger services and it is working through that process.
A number of electricity retailers are refusing to accept any new customers as they deal with supply charge increases. Natural Gas Corporation has raised its wholesale prices by 19 percent, Meridian Energy is vowing to maintain the status quo throughout the winter, while Trust power says it has no plans to increase its retail prices. Energy Online managing director Donald Cheeseman says electricity retailers typically make about one cent per kilowatt hour per customer and costs have increased by 20 cents a kilowatt hour. He says Energy Online does not think the new wholesale price is justified and will not pass it on to customers. Donald Cheeseman says it is important to look after existing customers.
(I ask again, who benefitted from the deregulation of the electricity industry in New Zealand? I can find no one who admits to being personally better off as a consequence. Whoever it is, it is not the domestic consumer. - BH)
United States flight attendants claim they have support from the office of the US Secretary of State over their concerns about New Zealand's use of insecticide in airline cabins. MAF sprays the cabins to keep out foreign insects, but American flight attendants say it gives them severe headaches and breathing problems. Flight Attendants' Association spokeswoman Judith Murawsky, says 192 formal complaints have been received about the insecticide since last August. She says the union has written to Colin Powell and transport secretary Norman Mineta describing the issue as "a serious health problem".
(Heavyweight support? The secretary has no authority here. The US looks after its own interests, even to the extent of abrogating treaties. It would be scarcely credible expect us to neglect our own best interests. - BH)
A former Silver Fern is defending the right of women to play netball when they are pregnant. Marg Foster's comments follow a ban imposed in Australia on pregnant players taking the court. Netball Australia says it is worried about the health of the unborn children. Foster says she has been on the courts while pregnant although she did not realise it at the time. She says she played really well as the pregnancy had raised the level of testosterone in her body. Marg Foster says other Kiwi players have also taken part in national netball tournaments while they were pregnant
(Having watched the Silver Ferns play the Australian team and been horrified by the calculated and vicious elbow to the midriff of Irene Van Dyk, I can see that such a ban might well be necessary when playing the green and gold. Netball seems to be much more of a contact sport than it used to be. - BH)
Fuel retailer Gull Petroleum has run out of diesel. Gull was the only retailer with supplies of uncontaminated diesel during the recent dirty diesel scare. It says it was inevitable its supplies of clean diesel would fail to keep up with demand, and its stocks have finally been exhausted. Operations manager Ulrik Olsen says Gull has not been able to purchase clean diesel from the other oil companies, and it has chosen to run out of product rather than compromise on quality. It is expecting new supplies by the end of the month. In the meantime it has dropped its petrol prices by up to two cents a litre to attract extra custom.
Radical taxation changes, including a tax on home ownership, are being floated by the Government's Taxation Review Committee. IRN political editor Barry Soper says the committee released an interim report for public discussion today. The most controversial aspect of the report is undoubtedly the tax on home equity which is essentially a wealth tax. It will mean that the more of your home you own the more you will pay in tax. At a rate of one percent it would bring in around 750 million dollars. That money should be used to offset income tax. The committee also raises the possibility of scrapping excise tax saying it disadvantages the poor.
(Let's stick our helmet above the parapet and see what gets shot at, shall we? Of course, the independent committee can be disavowed - BH)
A market commentator believes the current high wholesale electricity prices are simply the market in action. James Miller of ABN AMRO says there is a shortage of electricity. He says it is reasonable for the generators to be holding back supply to protect their own customers, thus pushing the price up. Mr Miller says the prices are higher than they were during the 1992 crisis, but at that time it was not a proper market because there were only two players. James Miller says generator and retailer Meridian Energy's rumoured takeover of troubled retailer On energy's customer base would be a logical deal. He says On energy is short on hedges against the high prices and long on customers, while Meridian is in the opposite position.
(Of course it reflects the market. What amazes me is that he says that as if it was a good thing - BH)
Apple exporter ENZA will have to meet strict criteria if it wishes to charge growers a compulsory levy to pay old debts. More than 50 million dollars is owed by the former Apple and Pear Marketing Board. Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton says ENZA would like the government to introduce regulations to provide for a compulsory levy for past losses. He says the Government needs ENZA to have the support of the industry, so the deal must be fair to minorities and it has to be in the public interest. Jim Sutton says they are heavy requirements and ENZA will not have an easy job convincing people in the industry.
(This industry body seems determined to disembowel itself. Sooner or later, it will be put out of its misery - BH)
The Auckland District Health Board is warning people to take precautions to avoid the strain of salmonella spreading through the country. The Auckland Zoo has poisoned 150 sparrows that were carrying the salmonella-160 strain. Public health physician Greg Simmons says the number of cases reported in Auckland has steadily increased since October last year. He says people should wash their hands after touching raw meat and patting their animals to help avoid the disease. There were 25 cases of salmonella reported in Auckland last month.
Troubled electricity retailer On energy is reviewing the value of its business as a result of high wholesale prices. The announcement comes as rumours fly that Meridian Energy is negotiating to buy a large proportion of On energy's customer base. On energy is refusing to comment on the speculation, however has issued a cautionary note to the stock market saying it is looking into a programme to alleviate the impact of the high prices. On energy last week increased retail power prices by as much as 19%, and issued a profit warning.
Race Relations Conciliator Gregory Fortuin has apologised to the Wellington Club for the row over its dress code. Mr Fortuin was refused entry to the club last week, after being told he had to wear a jacket and tie to meet the club's dress standards. At the time he was critical of his treatment, but today he has apologised to a Parliamentary select committee for making a fuss. Mr Fortuin says the issue for him was being told off in public. He says the incident was particularly upsetting given that he has been judged on outward appearances for most of his life.
(Sadly, Mr Fortuin has yet to establish any rapport with the public in the way that his predecessor did. I am sure he is a sincere man, a nice man, but I am not sure he was the best possible choice for this job in this country. - BH)
Nearly $30,000 has been raised in the past two and a half years for an Indian school thanks to the efforts of a Havelock North man. David Cranwell has been growing Himalayan Oak trees to raise money for a school in the Uttar Pradesh State in India. The money raised goes to upgrade the local school and repair environmental damage in the area. David Cranwell, says Indian school children need to be taught the importance of looking after their environment. He says the trees are being purchased and planted by councils around Hawke's Bay.
(While I applaud Mr Cranwell's good intentions and industry, I cringe at the paternalism in the judgement about what the recipients of his charity need to be taught - BH)
Indonesia's President Abdurrahman Wahid has confirmed he will visit New Zealand next week for two days. President Wahid and several ministers will arrive on Wednesday and attend a state dinner with the Governor- General Dame Sylvia Cartwright, the Prime Minister Helen Clark, and Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton. Miss Clark says President Wahid is the democratically elected leader of the fourth most populous country in the World. She says Indonesia is going through a tough political transition following many years of authoritarian rule, and the Government welcomes the opportunity to discuss the current developments there. She says she will also discuss the two countries' mutual interests in the region.
(The visit is legal. The man is the democratically elected head of a large and important nation. I am not sure those are sufficient reasons for the visit to be judged a good idea. Indonesia's military, for example, is widely believed to be the force behind the bloody murder in East Timor, where our peace keeping forces are working with the Australians. This visit is sure to end in embarrassment at best, especially since the police were berated for misguidedly suppressing political protest during the Chinese President's visit during APEC. - BH)
Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Long says a Police Complaints Authority investigation into a fatal port picket at Lyttelton is likely. Christchurch businessman Derek Powell was this month convicted of the manslaughter of Christine Clarke, who was run over at the roadblock in December 1999. When sentencing Powell, the judge strongly criticised the way the police handled the picket. National's police spokesman Tony Ryall supports an inquiry because he says it is important for public confidence in the police. In his judgement in the Powell case, Justice Panckhurst said that the police's actions were a "powerful precipitating circumstance" in the tragedy.
The government intends changing parts of the Crimes Act so the law becomes gender-neutral in respect to sexual offences. Justice Minister Phil Goff has confirmed that the law, as it stands, is outdated and inconsistent in the way it treats men and women. He says currently, it cannot respond adequately when sexual offences are committed by women. Phil Goff says parts of the act are still based on a nineteenth century assumption that women are incapable of committing a range of sexual offences. He expects to put his recommendations to Cabinet by September, and a bill to amend the Crimes Act is due for introduction by end of the year.
The Government is being urged to step in and provide funding to set up a nation-wide programme for out-of-school child care. Primary teachers are reporting increasing numbers of pupils who arrive at school well before eight o'clock and do not get picked up until long after the three o'clock bell. The primary teachers union, the NZEI, says the problem is worse in low socio-economic areas. NZEI President Amanda Coulston says often poor families can not afford the child-care and both parents have to work. She says she has very real concerns about the pressures parents are under, and she would like to see a national organisation co-ordinating out-of-school childcare.
The officer who arrested Timothy Taylor for the murder of Lisa Blakie has admitted that his theory about the killing does not fit with forensic evidence. Detective Greg Murton has been giving evidence at the depositions hearing at the Christchurch District Court. He told the court he believes Miss Blakie was killed at the Porter River some time on Wednesday February 2nd last year. But he acknowledged under cross examination that pathologist Dr Martin Sage believes that the earliest Lisa Blakie died was Friday February 4th, and that she was probably killed on the Saturday night. The evidence regarding the statements Detective Murton took from Taylor during interviews with the accused has been suppressed.
The Health and Disability Commissioner has recommended the Medical Council review the competency of Masterton doctor Jeffrey Harrild. Yesterday Dr Harrild pleaded guilty to aspects of a professional misconduct charge during a Medical Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal hearing in the Wairarapa town. The charge relates to the death of baby Georgia McLeod at Masterton Hospital in 1997. He has pleaded guilty to events leading up to the death but has defended allegations about his treatment of the child's mother. The tribunal's decision will not be publicly released for another two weeks. The Health and Disability Commissioner has investigated 10 complaints against the doctor but says five are outside his jurisdiction. Four of the complaints are before the Medical Council.
The three boys involved in last Tuesday's attack at Woodend School have received a warning from the police. Three eight-year-olds allegedly held a six-year-old girl against a wall, and forced what is believed to have been a panadol tablet down her throat. The boys also threatened to give the girl's older sister a beating. Youth Aid Officer Mark Graham says police have spoken to all the children involved in the incident, and have issued the three boys with a warning. He says the police are pleased that the school has offered counselling and support for their students. Mark Graham says the police Youth Education Officer will address students at the school next week, to promote the anti- bullying message.
Two anti-gay videos have been classified as unrestricted after two reviews by the Film and Literature Board of Review. The videos were referred back to the board after a decision by the Court of Appeal. Board President Sandra Moran says board members were obliged to classify the two videos as unrestricted. She says the videos contained expression of opinion and attitude about homosexuality so were not subject to censorship under the Films Videos, and Publications Act.
(It doesn't seem too far from allowing gay-bashing films, to allowing anti-Maori, anti-Jewish anti-Catholic hate films. This is a disgusting decision which ought to embarrass any civilised nation - BH)
Fifty people have been hit in the first three days since the introduction of an instant $200 fine for bringing dangerous items into the country. Biosecurity Minister, Jim Sutton, says there has been a serious crackdown on border control since the foot and mouth outbreak in Europe. He says all posted packages and each piece of passenger baggage is searched or x-rayed at the border. Mr Sutton says seizures of undeclared goods at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch rose by 25% in April and 28% in May. But he says border control needs to keep up the pressure even when news items on foot and mouth fall away.
(Among the first caught was one of our champion junior golfers who came back with a decaying banana in a pocket of his golf bag. $200 please!! - BH)
The Real Estate Institute believes the Government will be penalising homeowners if it adopts a recommendation to tax home equity. A government-appointed tax review team has released its preliminary findings. It proposes taxing equity in owner-occupied houses. The tax would be based on how much the equity would earn in a risk-free investment such as Government bonds. The review says if a couple own a $200,000 house with a $1,000 mortgage they would be required to pay $4,000 tax. The tax would increase as the home owner increased their equity in the property. But Rex Hadley, the president of the Real Estate Institute, says the Government should be praising homeowners, not penalising them. He disputes the review's claim that home ownership discourages investment, saying many New Zealanders use their home as a form of compulsory saving which should be applauded. The taxation review team says New Zealanders have $125 billion invested in houses, which as a proportion of household net worth is 50% more than the OECD average. The tax reviewers admit that trying to make things more expensive for people who own homes will be highly controversial. However, team leader Rob McLeod denies the home equity tax is a 'double taxation' which would be unfair to home owners. He says the home tax would merely level the playing field. KPMG's Brama Sharma says the elderly may find the going tough, if the new home equity tax was to be adopted. He says if a person has high equity in a house but low income, they would still have to find the extra money to pay the new tax. In other proposals, the review team says if the government is able to reduce taxes in future, the first should be income tax. If the government needs to increase taxes, the first target should be GST. Other proposals put forward in the tax revue include scrapping excise tax, which would effectively cut the cost of a dozen cans of beer by $3.56. Currently the tax on a packet of cigarettes is $5.76, and on a bottle of spirits it is more than $17. There is also a proposal to lower tax for overseas investors looking at coming into the country. The report does not favour tax concessions for the likes of saving schemes or research and development. Finance Minister Michael Cullen says he hopes the ideas canvassed by the review can be seriously debated without knee-jerk political reaction. Submissions on the report will be received until the end of July, and the Government is expected to deliver its verdict on tax in October. The Government says it has never intended to pick up all the recommendations made in the review
(The Prime Minister is reported as having told Dr Cullen that if he would not disavow or "dump on" this stuff, she would. And she promptly did. - BH)
Police will be continuing their investigation during the weekend into a vicious attack on Northland teacher Sue Brown at her Hukerenui home on Wednesday night. The 42- year-old is in a critical but stable condition in Auckland hospital. She was found in her home with severe head injuries and police have no motive for the attack. Detective Inspector Viv Rickard says police are trying to discover what happened. He says the inquiries and scene examination will take time but will hopefully paint a picture of what took place inside the house. Staff and students of Northland's Hukerenui Primary school are shocked after the attack. Principal Peter Lightbody says the school can not believe an attack like this happened to some one they know. Susan Brown has taught at the school for 14 years. Police are appealing for anyone who knows anything about the attack to come forward.
(Hukerenui is a delightful rural backwater just a little North of Whangarei. There is nothing there apart from a school and a pub, and the farms. Hikurangi is just a little up the road to the South, and that seems positively urban by comparison. Such gratuitous violence seems especially ugly in such a peaceful setting. I sincerely hope they catch the perpetrator. - BH)
(An appalling sequel to that last comment is the news that the police have arrested Mrs Brown's 21 year old son, Hayden. It is alleged he bludgeoned her with a hammer and tried to set fire to the place and stole $20 - BH)
The tax department may look into the case of an illegal car trader jailed for three and a half years for tampering with odometers. Phong Do pleaded guilty to 91 of 173 charges. He is said to have bought more than 900 cars in the past two years averaging one thousand dollars profit on each. Inland Revenue's director of litigation says the department's special audit unit is responsible for collecting tax from illegal or semi-legal activities. Mike Lennard says anyone who makes a profit has to pay tax. He says it does not matter what is being bought or sold or whether the profit comes from an illegal activity. He says if the department became aware through any source that someone was not declaring income from illegal activities the special audit unit would be informed. A joint operation by police and the Motor Vehicle Dealers' Institute led to the man's arrest, on a total of 173 counts of odometer tampering. MVDI spokesman, Mike Mapperson, says it emerged in court that Phong Do was convicted in 1996 of receiving stolen property and altering that to disguise its identity. Prosecuting counsel described him as a recidivist criminal. Mike Mapperson says it is not an unusual case, with the Institute investigating an increasing number of illegal car dealers.
Normal work resumed at the port of Auckland late last night after a 24-hour strike by members of the Waterfront Workers Union. They were protesting at a lack of progress in talks over wages and conditions. The union and port company met yesterday afternoon and agreed to resume mediation talks on Monday. Spokeswoman Karen Beanland says three vessels in port were not worked during the strike. She says one vessel in the general wharf area was worked by stevedores not involved in the dispute. She says the company hopes no lasting harm has been done by the strike. Karen Beanland says to minimise disruption shipping companies were kept informed. She says nobody likes disruptions and delays and the port has been helping customers adjust their business to reduce problems.
Police have been forced to reveal that a private search has been carried out in Marlborough's Tory Channel, looking for the bodies of missing Blenheim friends Ben Smart and Olivia Hope. It found nothing. Commissioner Rob Robinson revealed late last night that the Smart and Hope families have carried out a fruitless search of the area. This followed intense discussion about Rob Pope's claim that the a dive to raise the objects from Tory channel had been refused, on the grounds of cost. Rob Robinson flatly denied that money was the issue, saying the best sonar equipment proves the shapes are not the outlines of Ben and Olivia. He says the families did not want to reveal any details of the search but with information now in the public domain, people must be properly informed. Previously, Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Long believed the police investigation team looking into the disappearance of the pair was emotionally involved in the case. He says the investigation team members want some closure. Mr Long says Rob Pope confessed that when writing the report, he wanted to sway police into furthering the search.
(And the minister has, as is his custom, failed to cover himself with glory here. He has apparently issued an instruction, subsequently rescinded, to the effect that a further search would now take place. Once a minister starts interfering with the operational decisions which are properly the domain of the commissioner, then he should become personally liable for the budgetary consequences of that interference. - BH)
The country's other main dairy company has joined its competitor New Zealand Dairy Foods in announcing an increase in the price of dairy products. New Zealand Dairy is increasing the price of its milk, butter and cheese by 17 to 22 per cent. Now Mainland has confirmed its prices will go up in mid to late August. General manager of the dairy division, Geoff Norgate says the price of cheese, butter and yoghurt has yet to be finalised, but milk will go up between five and 10 cents a litre. Both companies blame the high price of our dairy products overseas. Mr Norgate says Mainland has been absorbing the cost increases for some time and it cannot afford to keep doing it. The Consumers' Institute says people should be upset. David Russell says the latest increases follow two hikes in the price of milk over the last 12 months and consumers have the right to be angry. He says the price rise is good news for the 14,000 dairy farmers in New Zealand but bad news for the rest of the consumers. The price rises are all expected to take effect in August.
(Under the old model, farmers never quite knew what their final payout would be for the milk produced until the calculations at the end of season. With a massive payout to the exporters this year, the fact is that those who sell milk to the domestic market will either get the same price per kilo or will choose not to supply that market. Nevertheless conspiracy theories abound. - BH)
A Timaru man has been charged under the Food Act, over activities relating to the product One-4-b. The chemical, often sold as a party drug, has been linked to a number of incidents of people falling unconscious, and with the death of an Auckland man. Around 1600 litres of it was found when police raided James McNee's home. Public Health officials have laid four charges relating to the sale and packing of the product. Mr McNee is due to appear in court again on July 31st.
Singapore Airlines' push for a bigger stake in Air New Zealand has hit a snag with the Government admitting its reluctant to lift foreign ownership restrictions in the airline. The cash-strapped Air New Zealand board is keen for the Asian carrier to add to its stake which is just under the 25 per cent maximum. Both airlines have approached the Government this week about the prospect of it lifting the ownership cap. Air New Zealand is in desperate need of a cash injection so it can revitalise its flagging offshoot Ansett Australia. However Finance Minister Michael Cullen says the Government is very reluctant to ease restrictions on how much a foreign airline can own of Air New Zealand. And he says any decision from Cabinet may be weeks away, not days.
(Plan B is to sell Ansett outright to Singapore Airlines - BH)
The Department of Corrections maintains Harry Tam is the best person for the job of senior policy advisor. Controversy surrounds the appointment of the convicted wife beater and ex-Mongrel Mob member. But the department says Mr Tam went through a comprehensive interview and reference checking process before being appointed. National says Justice Minister Phil Goff criticised the appointment of Harry Tam to the Ministry of Youth Affairs when in opposition, and is being hypocritical in allowing the latest move to go ahead.
The site of Wainuiomata's combined college will be announced today. An earlier announcement named the existing Wainuiomata College as the site for the two colleges to be integrated. Education Minister, Trevor Mallard, was presented with a second feasibility study after a complaint from Parkways College was upheld.
(The revised decision is that the new combined college will take place on the newer and more accessible Parkway college. - BH)
Date: 21 June 2001 Brian Dooley
Wellington New Zealand
CURRENCIES
The currency codes given below conform to ISO 4217, which
can be found at http://www.xe.net/currency/iso_4217.htm.
The rates given are for telegraphic transfer and are
as given in the Wellington Evening Post today.
To Buy NZD 1.00
USD 0.4172
AUD 0.8018
GBP 0.2984
JPY 51.79
CAD 0.6401
EUR 0.4900
FRF 3.2076
DEM 0.9568
HKD 3.2618
SGD 0.7622
ZAR 3.3801
CHF 0.7467
INTEREST RATES (%)
Call : 5.75
90 Day: 5.83
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