WYSIWYG NEWS - 15 June, 2008
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news at wysiwygnews.com
Sun Jun 15 12:35:10 NZST 2008
Subject: 15 June, 2008
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------
Copyright, Brian Harmer.
A wet week has reflected the sombre mood of the nation. First
a mindless murder by low-life armed robbers in pursuit of some
free alcohol and the meagre contents of the till. And then the
price of petrol has soared by no less than 12 cents/litre to
$2.109 per litre. Parking at the university has become nearly
impossible, with a lot of construction work under way. Somehow
the proportion of "reserved" parks to free ones has also
soared massively, so lesser mortals need to be on campus at or
before 8 am to be sure of a park. There are way too many
"important" people around. Hissing along the motorway towards
Wellington with the wipers slapping back and forth smearing
the spray from the cars ahead and alongside does little for
the mood. Drifting rain obscures the eastern side of the
harbour, and at times the city itself. Murphy rules, so that
there is always a large truck with at least 30 tyres hurling
its spray beside you. And then, there's the pain in the back
pocket. Even with a 15c/l discount voucher from a supermarket,
it still cost $118 to top up the tank. The round trip is 40
km, and since my car averages around 11 litres per 100 km on
a good run, that's somewhere around 30 litres per week, or
around $260 per week for petrol alone. Time to rethink the
economics of commuting. I have been reluctant to go by bus and
train thereby spending an hour and 40 minutes to do what takes
around 20 to 25 minutes by car even in rush hour. Weirdly, the
Wellington Regional Council have yet to set up a unified
ticketing system for bus and train, so two separate monthly
cards are much more expensive than they should be. On the
other hand, if I catch the Valley Flyer bus from the Hutt to
Wellington Terminus and then the local bus up to Kelburn, I
can do it for $165 per month. Of course I have to factor in
the time spent commuting, and perhaps train myself to use that
time productively, reading for research outputs, etc. I am
easily distracted, so I am not sure how that will go. On the
other hand, I am about to commence 6 months of Research and
Study leave (what we used to call a sabbatical), so I don't
plan to spend a lot of time on campus anyway. Looking around
me in the city, I see faces that reflect either the damp cold
weather, or the sour, disgruntled negativity that seems to
precede each general election, or perhaps both. Anyway, apart
from all that, it was a good week, and the sun is shining
brightly today.
----
Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in
parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the
personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter,
or occasionally "GS" will indicate an opinion from our
editorial assistant. In all cases they are honest expressions
of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact.
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced
by kind permission of copyright owner, Newstalk ZB News. All
copyright in the news items reproduced remains the property of
The Radio Network Limited.
Sponsorship this week is courtesy of Kiwis in Montreal.
Greetings and thanks to all in Montreal.
----
On with the News.
Monday, 9 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
POWER CUTS WILL NOT HAPPEN - ENERGY MINISTER
--------------------------------------------
Energy Minister David Parker is adamant there will not be
power black-outs this winter. A power savings campaign is set
to begin this Sunday, with television advertisements
encouraging New Zealanders to use less electricity. Mr Parker
and Winter Power Group spokesman Patrick Strange confirmed the
initiative this afternoon. The campaign will not have set
savings targets as was the case in 2003, with both men
positive power cuts will not happen. Mr Parker says there is
no crisis and he is positive people will not be left in the
dark. He says power cuts have not happened since the 1970s and
he does not think they will happen this year. "We do not want
the sick or elderly to turn off the heaters at home. This is
about reminding homes and businesses about the simple steps
they can take to reduce power use and save on their power
bills, such as turning off lights and equipment that's not
being used." Mr Parker says the best advice he has is that if
there is normal rainfall in the hydro catchments, as is
forecast, extra measures will not be needed. He notes the
temporary outage of power station Otahuhu B did not cause the
system to collapse, contrary to some predictions. Dr Strange
says it is about guarding against the totally unexpected. He
says it cannot be guaranteed that there will not be a drought
or that a major piece of generating equipment will not go
offline for a protracted amount of time. Dr Strange say both
are unlikely but it is prudent to guard against them.
(Heavy rain on the main divide this weekend may prove the
minister right. It won't be enough to fill the lakes, but it
may well prevent the need for extreme measures - BH)
NEW OPERATING THEATRES FOR HUTT HOSPITAL
----------------------------------------
The Health Minister has signed off on an $80 million
redevelopment of medical facilities in the Hutt Valley. David
Cunliffe has approved a business plan that will see major
upgrades of the operating theatres and A&E Department at Hutt
Hospital. Four new theatres will be built and the A&E will be
expanded. Mr Cunliffe says the Government will provide $60
million of the funding, with the balance to come from the DHB.
(I would still like to see a picture of the benighted public
servant who thought it would be a good idea for the people of
the Hutt to make do with the theatres that had been discarded
as inadequate for Wellington. I would love to hear his or her
justification - BH)
RURAL HOME-CARERS STRUGGLING WITH FUEL COSTS
--------------------------------------------
As fuel prices go up, the number of home-care workers in rural
communities drops. Rural Women New Zealand says it is very
concerned that it is becoming less and less economical for
home-carers to visit rural areas. The group is asking the
Government for a more realistic travel component for such
workers. National president Margaret Chapman says home-carers
are wonderful people who do the job for a reasonably low wage,
but it does get to a point where they cannot afford to do it
anymore. She says when that happens, those who need care are
often sent to a rest home that is far away from their own
community, or the worst-case scenario is they are sent home
with no help.
(Home carers and carers in rest homes are almost all wonderful
people. Why else would they do what they do for the pittance
they are paid? - BH)
FUEL COMPANIES REASSESSING PRICES
---------------------------------
At least two fuel companies are waiting to see what happens on
the Singapore market before setting the price of petrol at the
New Zealand pumps. Oil prices jumped to a record $US138.54
dollars a barrel over the weekend, prompting oil companies to
review their pump prices. Caltex spokeswoman Sharon Buckland
says the company buys its refined fuel from the Singapore
market. She says while what has happened in the US is
interesting, Caltex is more closely tied to what happens in
the Singapore market, which is four hours behind New Zealand.
BP says the Singapore market also sets its benchmark and it is
waiting to see what happens there. Shell and Mobil say they
are still reviewing their prices. Independent energy analyst
Molly Melhuish says it is all part of a worldwide trend which
sees a rapid rise in crude, followed by small drops and then
another rapid rise. She predicts it is "going to get a whole
lot worse".
(Wham! They didn't wait long. - BH)
TAXI COMPANY TOLD OFF FOR OVERSTATING GREENNESS
-----------------------------------------------
A Wellington taxi company has been reprimanded for misleading
consumers over its going green campaign. The Commerce
Commission has given Wellington Combined Taxis a warning over
false information it published online about fuel efficiency
and reducing carbon emissions. The Wellington Combined Taxis
website claimed its LPG fleet cut carbon pollution by up to 25
percent. But the commission says, when asked to support that
claim, the company could only provide information suggesting a
20 percent reduction. It says even that figure is not
reliable, due to variances in different tests. The commission
says it is concerned about a growing trend of 'greenwashing',
where businesses make eco-friendly claims they cannot back up.
(Nevertheless, Combined is the Wellington taxi company with
which I feel safest. Their cars are usually immaculate, and
their drivers polite and competent. - BH)
FUEL TAX CUTS NOT LIKELY
------------------------
The Government is not yet prepared to give motorists tax
relief by easing levies on fuel. Oil rocketed to a record
$US139 dollars a barrel over the weekend before settling back
at $US138. Analysts expect prices at the pump will jump by at
least ten cents a litre some time this week and oil companies
are considering their position. However, Prime Minister Helen
Clark is ruling out a cut in fuel taxes. "I don't think it
would be sensible to start fiddling around with a very long
established form of taxing fuel at this point." Miss Clark
says her focus is on strategies that will add value to the
economy in order to help households better cope with higher
prices.
("not yet"? I think that the moon will leave Earth's orbit
before this government, or indeed any future National
government would adopt this. Most economists seem to pan it as
a thoroughly bad idea. - BH)
GROWTH IN HOUSING MARKET SLOWS
------------------------------
The brakes continue to be applied to growth in the housing
market. Latest Quotable Value statistics show a 2.4 percent
growth in national property values for the year to May, down
from 4.9 percent growth reported in April. QV Valuations
spokesman Mark Dow says the average house sale price has also
dropped to $387,299. He says buyers are in the fortunate
position of having a lot of time to decide on a house, without
added pressure from agents. He says sellers who are not under
financial pressure or need to relocate are choosing to take
their properties off the market or rent them out rather than
accept lower offers. Mr Dow says feedback from valuers suggest
the decline in growth is set to continue for some time. Growth
in Auckland has fallen to 1.8 percent, Wellington 3.7 percent
and Christchurch 1.9 percent. Dunedin is the only main centre
where property values are actually falling, down 2.2 percent
on last year.
HIGH POWER PRICES HITTING HOME
------------------------------
Many people are cutting back on power, but it is not because
of low hydro lake levels. A Research New Zealand poll has
found 64 percent of respondents are reducing the amount of
heating they use as winter sets in because of the increasing
high cost of living. Director Emanuel Kalafatelis believes the
much talked about power shortage is still a contributing
factor, but says people of all ages are cutting back on their
usage. He says it is sad that households are now having to
skimp on necessities just to get by. Energy Minister David
Parker is due to brief Cabinet today on the country's power
situation and believes Cabinet will launch a voluntary
household savings campaign asking consumers to switch off any
unnecessary lights and appliances. David Caygill, chairman of
the Electricity Commission which advises the government on
security of supply, says the minister has been quite right not
to act until now, but the situation is not improving. The
Winter Power Group, made up of the five major power companies
and Transpower, has been reluctant to declare a power crisis
and has so far simply been urging consumers to be prudent with
their power use. Hydro lake levels are around half the usual
level for this time of the year and rain over the weekend has
done little to boost them. There have been 46 days of below
average rainfall in the hydro lake areas in the past two
months and just six with above average falls.
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SHELL AND BP FOLLOW CALTEX RISE
-------------------------------
BP and Shell have followed Caltex and raised their fuel prices
by 6c a litre. They are now charging $2.06.9 a litre for 91
and $2.11.9 for 95 octane. Diesel is up to $1.79.9 a litre.
(That's one. - BH)
ROLES OF POLICE IN LOCAL POLITICS TO BE CLARIFIED
-------------------------------------------------
There will soon be clarification on the eligibility of police
officers to stand for minor positions in local government. The
issue has been a bugbear for some in the past, with Police
Headquarters having to provide guidelines on what is and what
is not appropriate for sworn officers. The new Policing Bill,
currently before Parliament, sets guidelines which allow
officers to serve on local body community boards and on health
and community boards. A select committee report on the
proposed legislation says a balance has to be found between
and individual's right to express political views and the
police force being seen as independent.
DISAPPOINTMENT AT SCHOOLS' BOYCOTT
----------------------------------
The Education Minister is disappointed at a boycott of a
Government scheme by a group of schools on Auckland's North
Shore. Fifteen schools on Auckland's North Shore are refusing
to take part in the Schools Plus programme, where students are
kept at school until they are 18, until the Government gives
them more money. Education Minister Chris Carter says $170
million has been earmarked for the scheme and it is over to
the schools to tell him how much they need. "We want them to
tell us how much they think this extra programme, which will
be so good for high school students who currently aren't
succeeding in school, will cost. So we're a bit disappointed
they're not talking to us." Mr Carter says the scheme is not
costing schools anything at the moment and he does not accept
New Zealand schools are under-funded. He says Australia spends
3.5 percent of its GDP on schools, the United States spends
3.7 percent and New Zealand spends 4.4 percent.
NZ AMONGST THE FIRST FOR NEW IPHONE 3G
--------------------------------------
Vodafone and Apple have announced consumers in New Zealand
will be among the first to be able to buy their new iPhone 3G.
It will be available on July 11 and is being released at the
same time in Australia, Italy and Portugal, then rolled out
progressively around the globe in following months. The
companies boast the new phone's 3G networking is twice as fast
as the first generation iPhone, although actual speeds vary
because of site conditions. It is capable of up to six hours
of web browsing and five hours of talk time. Apple CEO Steve
Jobs has also reduced the price to half that of the current
model. In America, the new 8GB iPhone will cost $US199 and the
16GB version $US299.
(It will be interesting to see if Vodafone can curb their
normal profit-maximising tendencies. Those prices translate to
NZ$270 and $400. My guess is that Vodafone will find a
justification to sell them at $450 and $800 respectively. -
BH)
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT TO BE STRENGTHENED
----------------------------------------
The Domestic Violence Act is to be strengthened, as the
Government makes fresh moves to crack down on family violence.
Justice Minister Annette King has made the announcement
following a ministry review of existing laws last year. Among
the proposed changes are giving police the power to issue
immediate 72-hour protection orders. Mrs King says three areas
are set to be improved; the role of police and enforcement of
protection orders, courts and their handling of domestic
violence cases, and further protection for children via the
Family Court. She says a bill is already being drafted and
will be introduced to Parliament as soon as it is ready.
COUNTRY VET CRISIS
------------------
A rural journalist believes there could be serious
consequences from a chronic shortage of rural veterinarians.
Rob Cope-Williams says 600 vets are needed to meet the
country's needs but when vets graduate, some go overseas and
many others prefer to work with smaller animals in the city.
He says the lack of expertise with larger animals in the rural
sector could be a major problem. "If we do get an epidemic of
any type we would be in serious trouble." He says country vets
already have extremely high work loads.
REAL ESTATE BILL DOESN'T PROTECT CONSUMERS
------------------------------------------
National says it will not support the Government's proposed
regulation of the real estate sector unless changes are made.
The party will oppose the Real Estate Agents Bill currently
before Parliament, which aims to reform the sector by
establishing an independent regulatory body and increasing
penalties for breaches. Simon Power, National's commerce
spokesman says the party supports the concept of an
independent complaints and disciplinary authority for the
industry but the legislation does not address its concerns
about consumer protection. He says the bill also fails to
cover issues involving property managers and auctioneers and
the level of experience needed for a real estate agent to gain
a licence is too low. Mr Power says the legislation still has
to go through the committee stage so changes are possible.
FISHING BUSINESSES CRIPPLED BY FUEL COSTS
-----------------------------------------
Soaring fuel costs are forcing fishermen to trawl for other
work. Fuel companies are expected to lift prices after oil hit
an all time high of $US139 a barrel on Friday. It is currently
trading at $US136 a barrel. Pete Dawson from the Federation of
Commercial Fisherman says skyrocketing fuel costs are causing
a mass exodus out of the industry. He says in 1994 there were
more than 3,600 registered fishing vessels operating. Now
there are fewer than 1,700. Mr Dawson says it is outrageous
that while the giant oil companies are making record profits
more and more fishing businesses are going under and fishermen
are being forced to consider other professions.
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MOVES TO BAN DRIVERS FROM USING CELLPHONES
------------------------------------------
The Government believes there is "overwhelming support" for a
ban on the use of hand-held cellphones while driving. It has
launched a proposal to ban the use of handheld phones, PDAs
and other communications devices, by anyone who is behind the
wheel. Drivers would still be able to use hands-free devices.
Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven says evidence
clearly shows people cannot drive while they are distracted.
He says from 2002 to 2007, 26 people were killed in accidents
where the use of cellphones were identified as a contributing
factor. Mr Duynhoven expects penalties for breaking the ban
would include fines and demerit points. A similar move was
knocked back by Cabinet four years ago, but Mr Duynhoven says
the situation has changed. He believes there is now
overwhelming support for a ban. The proposed amendment to the
Land Transport Rule 2004 will be released for public
consultation in August. Mr Duynhoven says he expects it will
take around 12 months before the ban comes into effect.
(President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa is one who, on the
basis of his own personal insights, believes that HIV does not
lead to Aids. Mr Duynhoven seems to believe (despite expert
evidence) that cell-phones are not especially problematic. My
understanding is that it is the act of focusing on a
conversation that tends to divert the brain from the task of
driving. Banning hand-helds does not go far enough. - BH)
TREATY DEAL WITH TE ARAWA REVISED
---------------------------------
A revised treaty settlement deal has been reached between the
Crown and Rotorua iwi Te Arawa. The agreement has been changed
to remove compensation over forestry assets which are to be
allocated in a subsequent collective deal involving a grouping
of North Island tribes. Treaty Negotiations Minister Michael
Cullen says the deed of settlement includes a formal apology,
transfer of 19 areas of Crown owned land, and giving Te Arawa
more input into management of Crown owned land. He says the
deal will be formalised once legislation is passed by
Parliament.
PROPERTY MARKET ACTIVITY CONTINUES TO DECLINE
---------------------------------------------
The Real Estate Institute is trying to be upbeat about latest
property market figures, despite declining activity. May 2008
sales are down more than 50 percent on May last year, with the
median sale price falling in eight of 12 districts. The Real
Estate Institute says the good news is that the overall
national median of $345,000 remained unchanged from April and
is only $5,000 less than in May last year. Days to sell have
lengthened to 49 compared with 30 a year ago. Sales remain
particularly slow in Auckland, falling almost 60 percent on
May last year, with fewer than 1,400 homes changing hands last
month. REINZ president Murray Cleland describes the market as
treading water, but says the earlier unpleasant trend appears
to be levelling off.
FAMILY PLANNING WANTS ABORTION LAWS LOOSENED
--------------------------------------------
Family Planning agrees with the anti-abortion lobby that
Parliament should review current abortion laws - but it wants
to see them loosened, not tightened. The issue is in the
spotlight after a High Court judge suggested the Abortion
Supervisory Committee should be scrutinizing certifying
consultants, as there are inconsistencies in the way they are
using mental health grounds. Family Planning chief executive
Jackie Edmond says the current abortion laws were drafted in
the 1970s and things have changed considerably since. She does
not believe there still needs to be two certifying consultants
to approve an abortion. The law was also written for surgical
abortions when today there are also medical abortions. Ms
Edmond believes nurses, as well as doctors, should be able to
refer patients for abortions.
TRAINS STILL CHEAPER - WELLINGTON COMMUTERS
-------------------------------------------
Wellington commuters appear to be philosophical about the fact
their bus and train fares are about to go up by 10 percent.
Greater Wellington Regional Council has decided to put fares
up from September, blaming the rising price of oil. Commuters
spoken to at Wellington Railway Station this morning say it
will not stop them taking the train, as it is still more
economical than taking a car into the city. Public transport
fares in Auckland look set to remain where they are, for now.
Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee says the last
thing the region needs is higher public transport costs. He
says the council wants to encourage people to use public
transport, and increasing fares is not the way to do that.
(Now if only they could get their ducks in a row and organize
a unified ticketing system. I wonder if, as Bruce Simpson of
Aardvark suggested this week, a totally free commuter service
would be self-funding by the savings it would achieve on other
fronts? - BH)
AUCKLAND BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN STH HEMISPHERE
---------------------------------------------
Auckland has been deemed the best place to live in the
southern hemisphere. Auckland comes in at number five overall,
pipped by Zurich, Vienna, Geneva and Vancouver in the global
rankings for the Mercer Quality of Living survey. Wellington
is at number 12, two places behind Sydney. Auckland and
Wellington, the only two New Zealand cities surveyed, came
joint 10th in the personal safety rankings. Mercer spokesman
Rob Knox says the results are great news for New Zealand
employers trying to attract overseas workers to help ease
pressure on possibly the worst skills shortage the country's
ever seen. The index is used by companies and Governments to
compensate employees relocating internationally. It is based
on an evaluation of 39 quality of living criteria including
political, social, economic and environmental factors.
(These things seem to be a great boost to the egos of local
mayors, who than proceed to ignore another equally obscure
rating system a few days later that doesn't mention them at
all. - BH)
DHB MAY STOP PAYING FOR PRIVATE LAB TESTS
-----------------------------------------
The Otago District Health Board may stop paying for private
laboratory tests. Boards have traditionally used public
funding to pay for tests ordered by private specialists,
although Hutt Valley and Capital and Coast DHBs have already
stopped funding them. Otago DHB chairman Richard Thomson says
in a split vote, the board has decided to ask management to
return with an implementation plan and a date for payment to
cease. He says discontinuing the funding would mean an extra
$1 million a year would go into public services rather than
private sector services. Mr Thomson expects the decision to be
met with some resistance but he says the board's priority is
to work towards sustaining a public health service for those
who have no other health care alternative.
(A local specialist has said this is illegal and has asked the
DHBs to provide the legal basis on which they take this
action. So far, none have responded. I have heard one
organization suggest that people who can afford private
procedures can also afford private lab tests. This is if
course, arrant nonsense. - BH)
RISING COSTS CRIPPLING FOR SERVICE STATIONS
-------------------------------------------
Service station businesses are feeling the pinch of rising
fuel prices as much as motorists according to the industry
body. Motor Trade Association spokesman Andy Cumming says
businesses are going under because despite having a consistent
profit margin expenses are increasing. He says the cost of
credit card transactions is particularly crippling because the
fee charged is based on the total amount of the transaction.
He says the higher the amount of the transaction the more
businesses have to pay in fees. Petrol stations make roughly
four cents a litre on fuel, regardless of how much it is being
sold for. Mr Cumming says many stations are relying on sales
of confectionery and soft drinks to keep going but he says
almost half a dozen stations a month are going under, as the
rising cost of fuel forces them out of business. Yesterday,
the major oil companies increased fuel prices by another six
cents a litre.
(Unless the fees are greater than the margin, I fail to
understand the argument. - BH)
Thursday, 12 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KIWISAVER ATTRACTS 670,000 IN 11 MONTHS
---------------------------------------
The number of people signing up to KiwiSaver continues to
grow. Finance Minister Michael Cullen says more than 670,000
people have now joined, with 2,300 people signing per day last
month. Dr Cullen says only 270,000 New Zealanders were
supposed to sign up in KiwiSaver's first year. He says the
scheme has only been running for 11 months and is already
400,000 people past its 12 month target.
BUSINESS SAYS REST BREAKS DON'T NEED LEGISLATION
------------------------------------------------
An employer lobby group is expressing opposition to proposed
legislated rest breaks for employees. The Government is
considering an amendment to employment laws which would
require employers to provide facilities and breaks for
breastfeeding mothers as well as rest and meal breaks for
employees. Business New Zealand spokeswoman Barbara Burton
says it is better to leave the issue to individual agreements
and contracts, as well as established custom and practice. She
says the bill's definitions of fair and reasonable access to
breaks are uncertain, meaning they would likely have to be
clarified through court action. Bus and Coach Association
chief executive Raewyn Bleakley says there are special
characteristics of their industry that would make the bill
costly and potentially unmanageable. She says bus services are
not like a factory or an office, as there are passengers to
consider. Ms Bleakley says having buses stop or return to
depots so drivers can have scheduled breaks would create major
problems.
(No one said they need to return to their depot. I recall NZR
Road Services buses, and the Landliners from Auckland always
paused for breaks at Hamilton, Taupo, Taihape and Bulls. I
don't see the problem. - BH)
FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR CLEAN UP WEEK
----------------------------------
The 'Clean Up New Zealand Week' campaign will go ahead,
despite the loss of government help. Last year, the event,
which is the country's biggest public participation event,
attracted 1.3 million volunteers. Keep New Zealand Beautiful
chief executive Barry Lucinsky says the event's future was
touch and go for a while, after the government rejected all
its applications for funding, but he says corporate sponsors
such as Fonterra which have provided half the required
$200,000 have saved it. The event runs from September 5-12.
PUBLIC SERVANTS WALK OFF THE JOB
--------------------------------
Hundreds of Labour Department staff are walking off the job
and will not return to their desks until midday. The
industrial action is being carried out by 750 staff including
border security officers at Auckland, Wellington and
Christchurch airports, health and safety inspectors,
immigration officers, labour inspectors and industrial
mediators. They have rejected a three percent pay offer and
are demanding four percent. PSA Secretary Richard Wagstaff
says 20 percent of Labour department staff did not get an
increase in their wages last year and another 25 percent got
just two percent or less. He says with inflation running at
3.4 percent, the increases are failing to match the rising
cost of living.
SLIGHT RELIEF FOR HYDRO LAKES
-----------------------------
Heavy rain is heading for the country's hydro lakes today. The
lakes are at their lowest levels since the power crisis of
1992, when the country experienced black outs. The downpour
expected to hit the South Island's alpine regions this
afternoon as a cold front stalls over the region. TRN weather
analyst Philip Duncan says the rain will be most welcome but
will not be enough to end any power concerns. However, he says
it will help maintain or even slightly raise hydro lake
levels. The rain should fall quite far eastwards which is good
news for Central Otago farms still parched after an extremely
dry summer.
HANDHELD CELLPHONE BAN NOT ENOUGH
---------------------------------
A group promoting the benefits of pedestrian-friendly
communities says the proposed ban on handheld phones while
driving does not go far enough. The measures are expected to
be in force within a year but Living Streets Aotearoa, says
hands-free phones are just as dangerous. President and
Wellington city councillor Celia Wade-Brown says a UK survey
from 2002 shows drivers' reaction times were severally
impaired when they were using cellphones and the situation was
as bad as if they were at the legal alcohol limit. She says
cellphones not only cause a physical distraction, but also
give the driver a sense of being absent from the real driving
situation. Ms Wade-Brown says using a cellphone in any way in
a moving car is not safe and must be banned.
(I agree - BH)
Friday, 13 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WHEN IS CARBON NEUTRAL ACTUALLY CARBON NEUTRAL?
-----------------------------------------------
Meridian Energy is facing a Commerce Commission complaint from
the National Party. National's climate change spokesman Nick
Smith is not happy with the company's claim it is a carbon
neutral generator, given it purchases thermally generated
power during dry years to supply its customers. He is asking
the Commerce Commission to investigate Meridian's position and
to provide guidance. Meridian says it offsets its thermal
purchases with carbon credits, but Dr Smith dismisses it as
"hocus pocus".
FREIGHT PRICES TO RISE
----------------------
Freight prices will rise further, with petrol prices jumping
another 12c per litre at the pump this week. Three major oil
companies, BP, Mobil and Caltex, yesterday put up 91 to
$2.12.9 and diesel to $1.85.9 per litre. Shell has today
increased its prices by 4c, taking 91 to $2.10.9 and diesel to
$1.83.9. Shell is blaming the low New Zealand dollar and the
cost of a barrel of crude oil hitting $US136 a barrel
overnight. Freightways managing director Dean Bracewell says
the company is being forced to raise their freight charge. He
says with fuel prices escalating at the current rate
Freightways has no choice but to pass on the costs to
customers.
PRICES SET TO RISE FURTHER AS FUEL SOARS
----------------------------------------
The trucking industry is warning that the cost of food will
rise even further as fuel prices soar. This week's 12 cent a
litre price hike at the pumps is hitting the truck and freight
industry hard. Tony Friedlander, CEO of the Road Transport
Forum says food and most other items are at some point
transported by truck and operators are already running on
tight margins. He says ever-increasing fuel prices are also
having a huge impact on the export, forestry and manufacturing
sectors.
MORE TALK, LESS CONFRONTATION SAY FARMERS
-----------------------------------------
Local councils are being urged to get back to basics and speak
with individual farmers about environmental concerns.
Federated Farmers spokesman Bruce McNab has told the
Environmental Defence Society conference in Auckland that too
often councils are rushing off to the Environment Court to
deal with a range of issues affecting farmers. He believes
some councils are relying too much on information from lobby
groups, some of whom are not even represented in the region.
?I also believe that there is a temptation for groups to opt
for conflict, rather than resolution because conflict attracts
publicity and profile for an organisation. In the end we have
to find a solution and surely good news can attract publicity
as well. Taking pot shots at each other through the media is
not a productive exercise.? Mr McNab says all parties should
start to learn to trust each other and engage in dialogue
especially when it comes to issues concerning water. He says
the Environment Court should be the last resort and that more
dialogue and less confrontation on environmental issues is
needed.
COMPANY CAR COULD SLICE PAY RISE
--------------------------------
Employees with company cars may find it more difficult to get
a pay rise this year in the wake of rising food and petrol
prices. Petrol has gone up 12 cents a litre this week and the
cost of vegetables is up 11 percent this month. Alasdair
Thompson, CEO of the Employers and Manufacturers Association
says some employers are incorporating the rising cost of
petrol into the annual pay rises of those with company cars.
He says if the cost of running a vehicle goes up by $500, pay
increases will be reduced by that same figure. Mr Thompson
says that causes problems in workplaces because employees
think they should get a full pay rise. He says many people
believe their bosses should be paying them more when the cost
of living rises so much, but he says employers cannot be made
responsible for a nationwide problem, as pay rises only
increase inflation.
(Ah, the company car. Alas, a distant memory! - BH)
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