WYSIWYG NEWS - 16 August, 1998
Brian Harmer
Copyright - Brian Harmer
*****
Coming down off the hill from Normandale towards the Hutt, there are some
great vantage points from which to see the harbour entrance. On Tuesday,
after an unseasonably warm day, the sky was becoming cloudy as the sun set.
Hawkins Hill and the succession of lesser hills acquired that layered look
sometimes seen in works by airbrush artists, with each layer a different
shade of grey. The harbour itself took on the hue of weathered brass, flat,
flawless, golden. Matiu/Somes was close enough to retain some of its green
coloration despite the fading light. The inner city was already aglow with
the lights on the container terminal, and all the dimmer but still
attractive lights of city blocks and streets.
Later in the week, I had occasion to travel back from Wainuiomata, and
paused at the lookout at the top of the hill. The sinuous curves of the
Hutt River look very attractive from up there. In the foreground, the grim
industrial aspect of the Railway Workshops is offset only marginally by the
greenery of the Hutt Park Raceway and Shandon golf course. The sweeping
curve of Petone Beach takes the eye around to the more pleasing aspect of
the head of the Harbour and thence along those hills which hem the road and
rail corridor against the sea. Somes/Matiu sits out in the harbour, no
longer guarding us against unwanted pestilence, but now a reserve on which
it is possible to book accommodation overnight.
What an extraordinary week it has been politically. Watch it unfold as the
days pass ... and look at the predictions made by various pundits, and
laugh ... if you can.
On with the news
***************
All news items are reproduced by kind permission of copyright owner, IRN
Ltd whose current news listing can be found at http://www.xtra.co.nz/news/.
Monday, 10 August
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AIRPORT DECISION IN HOLDING PATTERN
-----------------------------------
Cabinet has delayed a decision that has had the potential to bust up the
coalition. Ministers have been meeting all day to discuss whether to sell
the Crown's two-thirds stake in Wellington Airport. Cabinet broke up just
before five. The Prime Minister, Finance Minister Bill Birch and Treasurer
Winston Peters will meet to discuss the sale before making an announcement
one way or another on Wednesday... Our political editor says it is
difficult to say what more there is to discuss...a healthy bid is already
on the table from a company that is 75 percent New Zealand owned...
DRIVING INSTRUCTORS DISAPPOINTED LICENCE AGE TO STAY AT 15
----------------------------------------------------------
Driving Instructors say our licensing system needs to be made stricter if
the driving age is to stay the same. A parliamentary select committee has
recommended that the driving age should remain at 15. The Land Transport
Safety Authority had argued for it to be raised to 16. President of the New
Zealand Institute of Driving Instructors, Fred Bardon, says from a safety
perspective he is disappointed with the recommendation. He says there is a
marked difference in maturity levels between 15 and 16. Mr Bardon says if
the age IS going to stay at 15, the Graduated Driver Licensing system must
be more rigorous.
(In a completely unsignalled u-turn, the same people later in the week
welcomed the retention of the 15 year driving age. - BH)
YELLOW BUS COMPANY SOLD
-----------------------
Auckland's publicly owned bus service has been sold. The Yellow Bus Company
was formerly under the control of the Auckland Regional Services Trust. The
Trust has now sold the company to the Scottish based company Stagecoach for
more than 111 million dollars. Stagecoach also runs the Auckland bus
service Cityline, and the Wellington metropolitan bus service.
The Commerce Commission initially refused to allow Stagecoach to buy the
Yellow Bus Company because it was concerned it may have a monopoly in the
market but that decision was overturned several months ago.
(This has caused much wailing and gnashing of teeth among some Aucklanders
who are lamenting the probable demise of the familiar yellow bus scheme.
For my part, yellow buses are an innovation ... real Auckland buses are a
pale green with a cream stripe along the side and the words "Auckland
Transport Board" in dark green within the strip ... I find it hard to take
seriously claims for heritage status of a colour scheme which I remember
being introduced BH)
REVELATIONS A WELLINGTON GUNMAN HAD HISTORY OF BREACHING BAIL
-------------------------------------------------------------
Revelations that the man who shot a Wellington woman nearly two weeks ago
had three previous convictions for breaching bail. Jason Moses shot his
partner Liana Collier only hours after being released on bail - police had
not opposed it. Moses was found dead a short time later. Labour's Phil Goff
says information he has obtained from the Police Minister shows Moses had
breached bail three times and had previous convictions involving firearms.
He says he can't understand why he was let out again, and the review of our
bail laws currently underway should be taken more seriously by the
minister.
NEW ZEALAND UNLIKELY TO BE PART OF BLACK MARKET STOLEN ART
----------------------------------------------------------
Interpol doesn't believe New Zealand is a part of an international black
market trade in stolen artefacts, despite
the theft of a major artwork from the Auckland City Art Gallery. An armed
man burst into the gallery yesterday, ripped the two million-dollar
painting from its frame, and took off o a motorcycle. Detective Senior
Sergeant Greg Allan from Interpol in Wellington says it is the first case
he has heard of where, violence and weapons have been used in the heist of
an artwork. He says he is just waiting for a good quality colour photograph
of the painting, before issuing a warning to Interpol world-wide.
RESERVED DECISION IN POLICE CORRUPTION CASE
-------------------------------------------
A reserved decision at the hearing of a Palmerston North High Court case
over police corruption. Dannevirke man Craig Withey is seeking $850,000 in
damages, claiming police framed him on a charge of manufacturing cannabis
oil. In June a High Court Jury accepted that while police had fabricated
evidence they hadn't done so maliciously. Withey's counsel, Donald Stevens
today described that verdict as a miscarriage of justice and asked Justice
Ellis to overturn it and award his client damages. However Crown Counsel,
Kristy McDonald said the Jury found no malice and there was no basis for
the Judge to interfere with the verdict.
Tuesday, 11 August
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SEX IN PRISON IS AN ABUSE OF TRUST SAYS PRISON STAFF UNION
----------------------------------------------------------
A Union representing Prison guards says its members have strict rules about
sexual relations with inmates. The PSA is commenting on allegations that an
officer got a female prison inmate pregnant at the Arohata Women's
institution near Wellington. Spokeswoman Anne Thewles describes sexual
relations between the jailer and the person in his charge as a gross breach
of trust. The Corrections Department has launched an inquiry into the
incident. It says the guard at the centre of the paternity scandal has left
his job.
A CLAIM OF A COUP RUMBLING IN NEW ZEALAND FIRST
-----------------------------------------------
ACT MP Rodney Hide claims Winston Peters could be rolled from his job as
leader of New Zealand First. Mr Hide claims that cabinet Minister Tuariki
John Delamere... who said last week he would consider the leadership if he
was approached about it.... is planning a coup. Rodney Hide says Mr
Delamere's office claims Winston Peters has just 6 votes left in the
party's caucus.
(To Rodney's credit, his antennae picked up that something was happening,
but in every other respect he got his prediction wrong. See later item
about formation of a new Maori party. -BH)
DIPHTHERIA CASE A TIMELY REMINDER TO IMMUNISE
---------------------------------------------
The discovery of a case of diphtheria in Auckland is being held up as a
timely reminder for parents to immunise their children. A young boy at a
childcare centre on the North Shore is being treated for the killer disease
- the first case in this country in almost 20 years. Doctor Nick Jones from
Auckland Healthcare says the case is probably an isolated one, as the boy
was treated quickly, and none of the other children at the centre have
developed symptoms. But he says diphtheria can lie dormant for years before
re-emerging...which is all the more reason for children to be immunised.
PETERS RULES OUT PUBLIC FLOAT OF WELLINGTON AIRPORT
---------------------------------------------------
Winston Peters appears to have ruled out an eventual public float as a
compromise to the impasse over the sale of Wellington Airport. The deputy
prime minister and New Zealand First leader says a float wouldn't satisfy
his concerns. Cabinet deferred a decision on whether to sell the Crown's
two-thirds stake until tomorrow. New Zealand First opposes the sale, while
National is backing the idea. Prime Minister Jenny Shipley has told
parliament negotiations are under way with the highest bidder.
(The tanks start moving towards Poland - BH)
A PACKAGE OF INCENTIVES TO ATTRACT DOCTORS TO THE WEST COAST
------------------------------------------------------------
Better pay, more time off and increased community support are being offered
as incentives to draw doctors to the South Island's West Coast. The area
has a serious shortage of GPs - three have left over the last few weeks,
leaving only two fulltime doctors in the area. Crisis talks between local
hospitals and various health groups have been held today to discuss the
issue. Buller District Mayor Pat O'Dea says an incentive package has been
offered because rural New Zealanders have a right to quality health care -
and doctors should be rewarded for providing it.
(I believe that the Coasters are offering a salary package in the order of
$90,000 ... almost certainly insufficient to attract doctors away from the
money to be made in the main centres - BH)
UNIVERSITIES TOLD WHAT FUNDING LEVELS ARE
-----------------------------------------
As the fight goes on at Massey University over fee increases - universities
are being told how much funding they are getting by the government today.
Education Minister Wyatt Creech says the government is putting 155 million
dollars more into tertiary education to implement the new Universal
Tertiary Tuition Allowance. That is down from the 250 million dollars
announced in the budget because of spending cuts. Mr Creech says he is
announcing the new rates for the allowance for 1999 today so providers can
complete their planning and fee setting.
MASSEY UNIVERSITY PROTEST GROWS
-------------------------------
An expansion to the student occupation at Massey University.
Around 50 students have been occupying the University's Registry building
since a 3-hundred dollar fee hike was announced on Friday. Student
President, Peter Hobson says around twenty students have now expanded their
occupation to include the University's Corporate Communications building.
He says students are hoping the new occupation will put more pressure on
the vice-chancellor to take their concerns seriously.
CONCERN POLICE HAVE NO DISCRETION, UNDER NEW TRAFFIC RULE
---------------------------------------------------------
The Law Society is concerned that police may be forced to impound vehicles
or suspend drivers' licences, if the Land Transport Bill becomes law. A
Government committee has recommended licences be automatically suspended if
the driver as twice the legal breath alcohol limit, or if the vehicle was
exceeding the speed limit by 50 kilometres an hour. The Law Society is
concerned that police will have no discretion over the confiscations.
Spokesman Peter Woodhouse says a mandatory
suspension would be unfair in some cases, including if a driver was caught
speeding while rushing a heart attack
victim to a hospital.
Wednesday, 12 August
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NATIONAL PARTY PRESIDENT HEADS FOR WELLINGTON
---------------------------------------------
Thrown straight into the deep end -- the newly elected National Party
President is on his way to Wellington tomorrow to discuss the future of the
coalition Government. Prime Minister Jenny Shipley is effectively leading a
minority government, after a dramatic turn of events tonight saw the
coalition crumble. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters led a walkout of
his New Zealand First Ministers from a cabinet meeting, over the sale of
Wellington airport. National Party President John Slater says there is
still a lot of talking to be done, before any decisions are made.
(Neville Chamberlain says "Peace in our time"? - BH)
PLEA TO KEEP NORTHLAND POLICE ON ITS OWN
----------------------------------------
A plea from the Police Association to keep the Northland police district on
its own. The revised police review was released yesterday, which suggests
cutting the 16 districts down to between 10 and 12. The original plan
suggested 11, but Commissioner Peter Doone says this range gives more
flexibility, especially for contentious issues, like merging Northland with
North Shore district. Police Association president, Greg O'Connor, says
when small districts are tagged on to larger ones they very quickly become
the poor relation because they find it hard to lobby for scarce resources.
LANDMARK DAY FOR MAORI IN BAY OF PLENTY
---------------------------------------
A landmark day for Maori in the Bay of Plenty, with the Regional Council
due to decide whether to pursue a policy of separate seats for Maori
representatives. Environment BOP chief executive Jeff Jones says
councillors will consider a report by an independent hearings commissioner,
who says the creation of a distinct Maori constituency is constitutionally
sound. Mr Jones says any change to the make up of the council
would require the Government to pass new legislation.
WARNING OVER POLICE ASSOCIATION REVIEW
--------------------------------------
A warning from the Police Association not to make the police review just
about dollars and cents. The revised review of the police was released
yesterday after two months of consultation. The review has a few changes,
mostly to make the
options more flexible as it goes back for more consultation with police and
Government departments. One change is a recommendation that between 380
and 450 jobs go, rather than the originally specified 445 jobs. Police
Association resident, Greg O'Connor, says it is good it's now more
flexible, but that is still a lot of jobs. Mr O'Connor says that is not so
bad if it's justified and not just about saving money.
COMPULSORY REDUNDANCIES UNFORTUNATE
-----------------------------------
The head of Carter Holt Harvey says introducing compulsory redundancies at
its Kinleith pulp and paper mill is unfortunate, but necessary. Workers at
the mill say the company is trying to back out of a co-operative agreement,
so it can shed hundreds of workers and put remaining workers on individual
contracts. Carter Holt Harvey Chief Executive John Faraci says an agreement
WAS made with the workers - but it isn't binding, as an exit clause exists
for both sides. Workers met in Tokoroa last night to discuss the matter,
and are meeting again this morning.
(Kinleith has a special place in my memories since I spent five of my
bachelor years working there (1963-1968) ... the smell of methyl mercaptan
emitted from the chemical pulp digesters will stay with me till my dying
day ... but on the whole, they are happy memories of a young and growing
town - BH)
DUNEDIN POLICE UNSURE ABOUT THEIR FUTURE
----------------------------------------
Dunedin police are still unsure about how many support staff they will have
in future, despite the release of the latest review of their department.
District manager John Riley says the report indicates how many staff each
district should have but doesn't spell out the actual positions. He says he
is hopeful Dunedin won't lose many jobs because its staffing is already
lean. The review confirms the merger of the Otago and Southland police
districts but no decision has been taken on where the enlarged district
will be based.
Thursday, 13 August
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MAORI PARTY ON THE HORIZON AS COALITION CRUMBLES
------------------------------------------------
The political fallout over the coalition collapse continues tonight with
New Zealand First's Tuariki Delamere admitting he was involved in drawing
up plans for a Maori political party. A detailed paper on the party's been
tabled in Parliament and Mr Delamere says he had a hand in writing it. The
paper criticises the Pakeha element of New Zealand First saying it doesn't
want to be involved with the Maori element of the party. It says that has
been made obvious by the actions and speeches of Winston Peters. Mr
Delamere says if there was enough support the party's five Maori MPs would
have to give a Maori party serious consideration....a hui is expected to be
held to gauge support within the next few weeks.
(Much of the outrage centres on the fact that Mr Delamere was proposing to
use a taxpayer funded hui to launch this new Maori party. The timing of the
proposal so soon after a pledge of loyalty to the beleaguered Winston
Peters. Add Delamere to Alamein Kopu in my list of people I don't want
behind me if I am under attack - BH)
RECONCILIATION BETWEEN COALITION PARTNERS SEEMS LESS LIKELY
-----------------------------------------------------------
Any hope of a reconciliation between the coalition partners seems to have
been dashed in parliament this afternoon.
Prime Minister Jenny Shipley was visibly uncomfortable as... in the seat
next to her... New Zealand First leader Winston Peters launched a sustained
attack on the National party.
Mr Peters says he felt Jenny Shipley had betrayed him at last night's
cabinet meeting. Winston Peters says he would also consider overturning
the decision... by cabinet... to sell Wellington Airport... and warned the
prime minister that the issue is not over. Mr Peters' comments effectively
challenge Jenny Shipley to sack him from her cabinet.
(The Stukas attack selected targets - BH)
CONSTITUTIONAL EXPERT SAYS NATIONAL COULD GOVERN AS MINORITY
------------------------------------------------------------
A constitutional law expert believes National can box on as an minority
Government, provided it can avoid being defeated on confidence issues. The
Prime Minister says she is happy to lead a minority government if the rift
between National and New Zealand First can't be patched up. Deputy Prime
Minister Winston Peters and his ministers stormed out of a Cabinet meeting
last night in protest at the vote to sell Wellington Airport. Sir Geoffrey
Palmer says Mrs Shipley could lead a minority Government as long as she has
support on supply and
confidence motions. However, Sir Geoffrey says if she does that, there is a
high likelihood of an early election.
(The tanks cross the border - BH)
KINLEITH WORKERS AGHAST AT REDUNDANCY PLANS
-------------------------------------------
Workers at the Kinleith pulp and paper mill in Tokoroa say it is time for
union and management representatives to head back to the negotiating table.
Carter Holt Harvey has confirmed it is planning to make an undetermined
number of workers at the mill redundant. Chief Executive John Faraci says
they have to cut staff as part of restructuring, and the
voluntary redundancy process is moving too slowly. Union spokesman Scott
Wilson says the company is reneging on a co-operative agreement it made
with workers. A meeting between the union and management is scheduled for
Monday.
SHIPLEY REJECTS SUGGESTIONS THE AIRPORT SALE WAS ILLEGAL
--------------------------------------------------------
The prime minister has rejected any suggestion that there
was some legal irregularity in the Cabinet's decision to proceed with the
sale of the Crown's share in Wellington
Airport. Jenny Shipley says it is okay for a decision to be taken at a
meeting of less than the full complement of ministers. Mrs Shipley says
those principles are described in the cabinet office manual, and that
process was followed last
night. The prime minister says she took advice from the
Solicitor General and the Cabinet Secretary before the ministers met.
(Ports blockaded - BH)
DIPHTHERIA BOY'S PARENTS WILL BE ASKED FOR IMMUNISATION PROOF
-------------------------------------------------------------
The parents of a young boy who sparked a diphtheria scare at an Auckland
childcare centre, will be asked to supply proof their child has been
immunised when he returns. Creative Kids Childcare Centre has decided to
ban all unvaccinated children following the case. Co-owner Shayne Ivory
says half of the 70-plus children tested have been cleared of the disease.
He says the results are encouraging, but he won't rest easy until all the
tests come back early next week. Shayne Ivory says the parents of the young
boy who contracted diphtheria, intend vaccinating their child. He says they
will need to provide an immunisation certificate when the boy is well.
(Hang on a minute. Immunisation produces antibodies. This child has had the
disease ... he is now more copiously equipped with diphtheria antibodies
than anyone else in the country - BH)
ANTARCTIC AIRLIFT VICTIM RECOVERS IN HOSPITAL
---------------------------------------------
A 41 year old American man uplifted from Antarctica in a mid-winter mercy
dash is now recovering in Christchurch hospital.
A New Zealand Air force Hercules was sent to the icy continent yesterday to
rescue Gerry Ness, who was seriously ill at McMurdo station. It was the
first time we have sent a Hercules to Antarctica in the middle of winter,
in the dark, on such a rescue mission. A spokesman for Christchurch
Hospital says Mr Ness is in a comfortable condition...but says it can't
release any more details about his illness.
Friday, 14 August
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PETERS SPEAKS FOLLOWING SACKING
-------------------------------
Winston Peters says he was only doing his job. Mr Peters has delivered a
brief media statement in the wake of today's sacking by Prime Minister
Jenny Shipley. He is to lose both his treasury portfolio and his deputy
prime minister's title.
Mr Peters has been accused by the Prime Minister of undermining her
integrity, but the New Zealand First leader says he has just been bringing
the issues into the public spotlight.
(Blitzkrieg!!! The dogs of war are now irretrievably loosed! - BH)
CALL FOR AN END TO 'KINDERGARTEN POLITICS'
------------------------------------------
Act leader Richard Prebble hopes the sacking of Winston Peters will put an
end to what he calls the "kindergarten politics" we have seen this year.
Prime Minister Jenny Shipley has dumped her deputy prime minister and
treasurer, for comments he made about the cabinet's handling of the
Wellington Airport sale. She has given the other New Zealand First
ministers the weekend to consider whether they will give her their support.
Tuariki Delamere has already signed on. Act's Richard Prebble says the
government will have the support of his eight MPs for confidence votes.
A COALITION AGREEMENT IN TATTERS....
------------------------------------
The coalition agreement is in tatters tonight following the sacking today
of Treasurer Winston Peters.... Prime Minister Jenny Shipley breached the
agreement when she appointed Bill Birch as Treasurer and Wyatt Creech as
acting Prime Minister....the agreement reserves those jobs for the leader
of the junior coalition party... New Zealand First president Doug Woolerton
says Mrs Shipley is ignoring the agreement on the one hand and holding it
up with the other...
She says the future of the coalition will be decided by the
disputes committee which is part of the coalition agreement...
SUPPORT FOR PETERS' SACKING FROM NZ FIRST MP
--------------------------------------------
Tuariki Delamere has come out today strongly in support of the Prime
Minister ... widening the rift between himself and his New Zealand First
leader Winston Peters. He says he will give his support to Jenny Shipley,
and says she did the right thing sacking Mr Peters. Mr Delamere this
evening acknowledges he is likely to be kicked out of New Zealand First. He
says the last day has been something of a roller coaster ride. The chairman
of Mr Delamere's electorate branch of New Zealand First is calling for his
resignation from the party.
(France has a government in Vichy. BH)
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SUPPORTS CHILDCARE CENTRE
-------------------------------------------------
The Human Rights Commission says it is okay for childcare centres to turn
unvaccinated children away. An Auckland childcare centre, this week ruled
not to accept un-immunised youngsters following a diphtheria scare
involving one of its children. Other centres which have supported the
decision, have voiced fears of being prosecuted for discrimination if they
do the same. But the Human Rights Commissioner Pamela Jefferies, says the
Auckland centre's decision is sensible.
She says childcare centres are entitled to refuse unvaccinated children
entry, if it is impossible for them to reduce the risk of infecting other
children to a reasonable level.
VICTORY FOR POLICE BOSSES
-------------------------
A victory for police bosses following confirmation today their pay offer is
to stand. Police had been seeking a 15 per cent increase. But an
independent arbitrator has decided to accept as given, management's offer
including a two-and-a-half thousand dollar lump sum payment, and 2.5 per
cent rise
effective from next October. The police union is staggered by the
decision..however, police administration is pleased the matter has been
laid to rest. Assistant Commissioner Jon White says part of the deal will
see the minimum salary for new constables increase by more than six per
cent. He says the settlement allows administration to focus on other
challenging issues.
MORE WET IN THE WAIKATO
-----------------------
Weather-watchers are keeping a close eye on Waikato skies as the region
prepares for another violent downpour...
The rain band passing through Northland is due to settle in the Waikato,
Bay of Plenty and Taupo later tonight. MetService forecasters say heavy
rain will lash the region until early tomorrow morning. Environment Waikato
staff are monitoring the
situation...between 20 and 30 millimetres of rain are forecast overnight.
THE FINANCIAL PAGE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Date: 13 August 1998 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 0.5065
AUD 0.8504
GBP 0.3115
JPY 74.25
CAD 0.7696
FRF 3.0412
DEM 0.9070
HKD 3.9348
SGD 0.8913
ZAR 3.2493
CHF 0.7562
INTEREST RATES (%)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Call : 6.20
90 Day: 7.00
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*****
Next week ... well ... I assume there will be a next week? The All Blacks
have just lost their fourth successive test for the first time since about
1929 ... the sky is falling :-(
--
Brian Harmer
"Our luck is even better than I expected Don Quixote exclaimed
... I'm going to attack those mighty giants and slay them in their tracks" - Cervantes
http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~bharmer/
ph...@csc.canterbury.ac.nz
On Sun, 16 Aug 1998, Brian Harmer wrote:
> Tuesday, 11 August
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> ACT MP Rodney Hide claims Winston Peters could be rolled from his job as
> leader of New Zealand First. Mr Hide claims that cabinet Minister Tuariki
> John Delamere... who said last week he would consider the leadership if he
> was approached about it.... is planning a coup. Rodney Hide says Mr
> Delamere's office claims Winston Peters has just 6 votes left in the
> party's caucus.
>
> (To Rodney's credit, his antennae picked up that something was happening,
> but in every other respect he got his prediction wrong. See later item
> about formation of a new Maori party. -BH)
The six votes left seems to be close to Winston's current support in
his caucus. it's been reported that seven are for him, three are
for shipley and the other five undecided.
> PETERS RULES OUT PUBLIC FLOAT OF WELLINGTON AIRPORT
> ---------------------------------------------------
> (The tanks start moving towards Poland - BH)
> NATIONAL PARTY PRESIDENT HEADS FOR WELLINGTON
> ---------------------------------------------
> (Neville Chamberlain says "Peace in our time"? - BH)
Methinks your chronology is confused. 'Poles' attack Gleiwitz
station might be a better choice.
> PETERS SPEAKS FOLLOWING SACKING
> -------------------------------
> (Blitzkrieg!!! The dogs of war are now irretrievably loosed! - BH)
You blocks, you stones, you worse-than-senseless things!!
One cries 'Havoc' and lets slip the dogs of war!
> (France has a government in Vichy. BH)
I think Soviet Union attacks Poland might have been a better
choice.
--Peter Metcalfe
Brian Harmer
)
>
>> NATIONAL PARTY PRESIDENT HEADS FOR WELLINGTON
>> ---------------------------------------------
>
>> (Neville Chamberlain says "Peace in our time"? - BH)
>
>Methinks your chronology is confused. 'Poles' attack Gleiwitz
>station might be a better choice.
Pehaps, but I was more interested in the comparative usefulness of
either the Nats' president rushing to Wellington, or Chamberlain's trip to
see Hitler.
The whole series of comments was intended to reflect on how quickly the
clouds gathered and the storm burst.
Brian Harmer
wrote:
>DIPHTHERIA BOY'S PARENTS WILL BE ASKED FOR IMMUNISATION PROOF
>-------------------------------------------------------------
>(Hang on a minute. Immunisation produces antibodies. This child has had the
>disease ... he is now more copiously equipped with diphtheria antibodies
>than anyone else in the country - BH)
It has been pointed out to me by a professor at a medical school that
"diphtheria is one of those infections that in fact having the disease (which
is mediated by toxins) does not confer immunity - it was right to insist the
child was immunises before returning."
Apologies for getting it wrong.