CLOSE UP. 22/10/1987

“A Drop in the Ocean”.

A commission of inquiry began sitting in Wellington today to look at the future of the tiny Pacific island Nauru (formerly Pleasant Island). Over the years a huge part of the island has been dug out for phosphate, mostly sent to New Zealand. The commission of inquiry, despite the New Zealand Government ignoring it, is sitting to determine who is to blame for Nauru’s devastation.

Speakers: Prof Barry Connell (Commission of Inquiry), Rev Itubwa Amram (Congregational Church), Russell Marshall (Minister of Foreign Affairs), Kinza Clodumar (Nauru Minister of Finance), Prof Paul Zimmet (Diabetes Institute), Julie Olsson (Teacher).

“Close Encounters”.

The Church of Scientology is no stranger to controversy, but it is the methods that the Church uses to try to recruit new members which has caused concern here. A young Wellington woman contacted Close Up after she was stopped in the street and persuaded to take a personality test, which according to the Church, showed her to be unstable and insane, with murderous tendencies. Is any organisation justified in making that sort of diagnosis within thirty minutes of meeting someone?

Speakers: Sarah Smit (Student), Bruce Gibson (Minister, Scientology), Mike Ferriss (Secretary, Scientology), Dr Barry Kirkwood (Psychologist).

“Heart ‘n’ Soul”.

A profile of American musician Stevie Wonder, who has taken two young blind Australian musicians under his wing.

Speakers: Stevie Wonder (Musician).