Wednesday, 3 November , 2004

Flying discount for elderly a good move, says Alexander

United Future's Marc Alexander today congratulated Origin Pacific Airways for its launch of an "enlightened" discount travel programme for the elderly and called for Air New Zealand to match it.

"While no doubt based on sound commercial practice, it is good to see business acknowledging this often overlooked group of New Zealanders, who have given so much to make this country what it is today," Mr Alexander, United Future's senior citizens spokesman, said.

It is a trend that could be replicated in other areas, he said.

"There is a considerable grey dollar out there, but equally there is a social value in making many things in life more achievable for the elderly, particularly those on tight budgets."

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>