Irish Comparisons - Winebox Reconsideration - Lost For Words - Liquor - Questions - Beer Consumption - Erebus - Employers Get An Earful - Same Sex Marriages and much more...

Today's Scoops

Don't Turn us into Irish Component Assemblers

- Bank managers and receivers hear the same story every day: businesses never go under through bad management. They fail because of the competition from cheap imports, or the exchange rate, or lack of subsidies. Daniel Silva writes. See... Don't Turn us into Irish Component Assemblers [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00098.htm

IRD Commissioner Addresses Select Committee on Winebox

- IRD Commissioner Graham Holland has just spoken to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee saying he will be seeking advice from the Solicitor General on further prosecution of the 'Magnum Transaction', at the centre of the Winebox inquiry. Scoop's Alastair Thompson reports. See... IRD's Graham Holland Is Seeking Advice On Magnum [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00095.htm

Lost For Words

- "Those people who know me personally would not describe me as the sort of person who is often lost for words. But during the past weekend I have been very quiet indeed." Scoop's Matthew Thomas reflects on a weekend on a marae. See... Soapbox: Kei te korero au i te reo Maori [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00094.htm

Liquor Debate Expected Early This Evening

- Today's session in the House is expected to see the controversial Liquor Laws Amendment Bill back before the House at around 5pm. See... House: Liquor Debate Expected At Around 5pm [1] in the Headlines wire. Also see today's Questions For Oral Answer Wednesday, 25 August 1999 [2] , in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00097.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00421.htm

Questions Of The Day

- Today's questions for oral answer covered a range of subject matters. Deputy PM Wyatt Creech stood in for the PM. For Mental Health - Bright Future Scholarships - Fishing Cost Recovery - Hot Spot Policing - Tax Simplification - Home Detention see... Questions Of The Day (7-12) [1] , for Employment And Economy - Ascot Hospital - Tony Ryall - Timberlands - Super Universities - Waitangi Tribunal see... QuestionsOf The Day (1-6) [2] . Both in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00101.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00100.htm

Kiwis Drinking Even Less Beer

- The volume of beer available for consumption fell 4.3 per cent, to 307.4 million litres, between the June 1998 and 1999 years. See... Beer Consumption Falls Again [1] in the General wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9908/S00129.htm

Erebus Report Recognised After 20 Years

- Almost 20 years after New Zealand's worst air disaster, the report into its cause written by the late Justice Mahon has been given official recognition by Transport Minister Maurice Williamson, who tabled it in Parliament today. See... Erebus Report Finally Recognised [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00427.htm

Christian Minister Welcomes Talk of Same Sex Marriage

- In contrast to the conservative Christian views of Graham Capill, Presbyterian Minister David S. Clark says that he welcomes talk of same-sex marriages. In a column for Scoop he writes why. See... Remuera Minister Supports Same-Sex Commitment [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00099.htm

Privatised ACC Overcharging Employers - Alliance

- The Alliance say the Palmerston North Women's Health Collective paid more than three times too much for work place insurance from the government's own company, @ Work Insurance. See... Privatised ACC system, ripping employers off [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00431.htm

Expect Action on Changes To ECA and Holidays - TUF

- The Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, in a speech to the Employers Federation conference today told New Zealanders to "expect action on the Holidays Act, a probationary period for new employees and modifications to personal grievances", if National are elected. If this happens they can certainly expect reaction, said Michael Gilchrist of the NZ Trade Union Federation. See... Expect Reaction to Nat Plans for ECA and Holidays [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00089.htm

Rising Imports Worsen Trade Position

- New Zealand's trade position continues to worsen as imports continue to rise. Imports of cars and household consumption goods were leading contributors to the growth in July. See the Statistics New Zealand statement... Imports Continue to Rise [1] in the Business wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU9908/S00111.htm

Petrol Prices Rise Again

- Caltex has announced another price rise of two cents per litre on petrol and diesel, effective from midnight tonight (Wednesday 25 August 1999). This is the fourth price increase in two months from Caltex. In a business where all companies tend to follow the lead of one, more rises are expected. See... Another Two Cent Petrol Price Rise At Caltex [1] in the Business wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU9908/S00110.htm

Human Genes in Cows Food Oriented - Greens

- A hearing in Wellington today in which government agency AgResearch is applying to put human genes into dairy cattle is food-oriented, despite publicity about medical benefits, Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said today. See... Human-Genes-In-Cows Application Is Food-Oriented [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00418.htm

Employers Get An Earful

- Jenny Shipley, Helen Clark and Richard Prebble have given speeches to the Employers Federation Annual Conference in what is basically the first leaders debate of the election campaign. See Jenny Shipley's address... PM Speech To Employers Federation [1] . Helen Clark's... Helen Clark speech to Employers Federation [2] . Richard Prebbles... Prebble Speech To Employers Federation [3] . Jim Anderton's... Jim Anderton's speech to Employers Fed conference [4] . Several others have also made an appearance at the conference. Tau Henare's... Henare Speech To Employers Federation [5] . Bill English's... English Speech To Employers Federation [6] . Rod Donald's... Donald Speech To Employers Federation [7] . All in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00417.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00419.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00420.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00422.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00426.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00428.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00429.htm

Hospitals To Test Y2K Systems

- Hospitals in New Zealand are using the date of September 9 to test their backup systems for Y2K glitches. See... Sept. 9 Opportunity to Test Y2K Preparation [1] in the General wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9908/S00126.htm

Govt. Duped Again By Timberlands' PR - Forest & Bird

- Government's approval of Timberlands' beech scheme as being economically viable and having negligible environmental impacts shows the extent to which Ministers have been duped by Timberlands' public relations, say Forest And Bird. See... Government Continue To Be Duped By Timberlands' PR [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00088.htm

New Research On New Zealand Nutrition Launched - We're Getting Fatter!

- A major piece of research into Kiwi eating habits shows obesity has increased by 50 per cent between 1989 and 1997. Over half of all Kiwis are overweight or obese and the mean body weight has increased by 3.2 kilograms. Today Tuariki Delamere launched the research - NZ Food : NZ People. Delamere says the document is a ground-breaking piece of fundamental research that will help shape our public health policies for years to come. See his speech... Delamere Speech On Nutrition [1] in the Parliament wire.. The Ministry of Health have issued a series of releases on the research and on the nutrition of Maori and Pacific Island people. See... Nation-Wide Study On The Food New Zealanders eat [2] , Stats On Maori Eating Should Make Positive Change [3] and Nutrition Info on Pacific People Good Start [4] . All in the General wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00416.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9908/S00125.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9908/S00124.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9908/S00123.htm

Good News For TVNZ

- TVNZ has today announced major Australian contracts worth up to $250 million over five years. See... TVNZ secures $250 million contract [1] in the Business wire. TVNZ also picked up a top honour at last night's 1999 TUANZ Awards, winning the Best Application of Information/Communication Technology for the TV ONE TVNZ/Deloitte Budget99 Presentation. See... TVNZ Wins At TUAN [2] Z, also in the Business wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU9908/S00108.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU9908/S00107.htm

Pay Parity For Kindy Teachers?

- Education Minister Nick Smith today said the proposal for pay parity for Kindergarten teachers would unfairly discriminate against other early childhood teachers. See... Parity Not A Priority For Early Childhood [1] . However the Alliance say there is a clear need for pay equity for Kindergarten teachers. See... Report shows need for pay parity [2] . The NZEI is disappointed that Nick Smith has attacked the report on pay parity. See... Minister Misses Mark Attacking Kindy Parity Study [3] in the Politics wire. All in the Parliament wire. Bye Mike - The new Director General of the World Trade Organisation and long-serving Labour MP, Mike Moore, gave a humorous and well received valedictory speech yesterday evening to a packed public gallery. He identified race
relations and the need for constitutional reform as two key issues facing the nation. Scoop will post the speech as soon as we get it. (Given that Mike Moore's farewell party is now underway we can't be any more specific.)

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00415.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00414.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00090.htm

Auckland Police Target Sex Workers, Homeless Before APEC

- Police are cracking down on Auckland's homeless, street-kids, and sex workers in the run up to the APEC leader's summit meetings next month. Scoop's Selwyn Manning reports. See... Police Say On Your Way To Sex Workers [1] in the Auckland wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK9908/S00117.htm

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

CONTACT ALASTAIR THOMPSON

• Mobile - 021707044
• Twitter - @althecat
• Google+

• Linkedin
• Facebook
• Email - alastair@scoop.co.nz