The Independent:

The Independent:

Page One:

* National Government Ministers knew of and approved TVNZ's $6 million spending to develop digital technology proposals, according to papers obtained by The Independent. TVNZ bosses got sign-off on the first stage of a $600 million proposal which would have been funded partly by withholding $220 million in dividends.

* Manufacturers happy with Reserve Bank review terms

* Niuean Premier Sani Lakatani has a reprieve from bankruptcy proceedings issued by Auckland exporter Steve Ware for a $30,000 debt. Lakatani is to meet Ware today on his way home from the Asian Development Bank meeting in Thailand;

* State Insturance and NZI allowed to merge, says Commerce Commission;

* Cigs Go Up

Other coverage:

* Retail Sales and job ads stats yesterday show further evidence of economic cooling;

* Integrated Security Systems, Canadian supplier of security systems for Parliament, police stations, and courts is terminating its agency with Nedax Systems without explanation. Follows private investigators tracing extent of non-installation of ISS parts by Nedax, after concerns that suspect software was present in some systems;

* Law Commission nobbled by government and a jealous bureaucracy, says a new report from Geoffrey Palmer;

* Parliament to consider legislation establishing of Jim Anderton's Industry New Zealand "jobs machine" tomorrow;

* McKinsey report out next month likely to recommend merger of Meat and Wool Boards;

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