News and Current Affairs.
Main Stories:
A new superannuation scheme for Members of Parliament, with big increases, was passed late last night in record time and with unanimous support. MPs from both parties are being criticised for their actions. Speaker: Jim Bolger (National leader), David Mather (Antony James & Co).
A new TVNZ drama series about the Erebus disaster has polarised opinion amongst the figures involved in it. The reaction of key figures is gauged. Speakers: Maria Collins (Widow of Captain Jim Collins), Gordon Vette (Author “Impact Erebus”), Margarita Mahon (Wife of Justice Peter Mahon), Morrie Davis (Former CEO Air New Zealand), Sir Robert Muldoon (Former Prime Minister).
Twenty percent of kiwfruit farmers may be forced out of the industry because it is not profitable. At the same time overseas sales of the fruit are booming. Speakers: Michael Evans (Kiwifruit Exporters Association), Jim Pringle (Kiwifruit Grower), John Cronin (Tauranga Accountant), Ron Ellis (Kerikeri Growers Society), Rod Claver (Katikati Growers Association), Paul Haywood (NZ Kiwifruit Growers Chairman), Simon Caughey (Kiwifruit Marketing Authority).
Other Stories:
MPs who voted in their generous super scheme can be expected to be the target of some determined lobbying next month. Speaker: Bob Hubbard (Superannuitants Fed. President).
There will be cutbacks in New Zealand’s diplomatic relationship with Fiji. Speaker: Russell Marshall (Minister of Foreign Affairs).
Nauru wants compensation after years of phosphate mining. A commission of inquiry opened in Wellington today.
Prices dropped again on the local share market. Speakers: Alfons des Tombe (Sharebroker).
In New Delhi there’s been outraged reaction following a massacre of Hindus by Sikh extremists.
In Sri Lanka Tamil guerilla continue to fight the Indian army in the city of Jaffna.
Reports are coming in of a missile attack on Kuwait's main oil terminal.
Kelly Evernden scored an easy victory in his tennis match tonight.
Worldwatch:
Share markets around the world gained ground after the falls of the past few days. Speakers: Michael Hughes (City Analyst), Motoi Okada (DAIWA Securities), Malcolm Forbes (US Industrialist), Ronald Reagan (US President), Rep Dan Rostenkowski (Chm., Ways & Means Cmtee), Sen. Robert Byrd (Majority Leader), Sen Lloyd Bentsen (Chairman, Finance Cmte), Robert Solow (Nobel Prize Winner).
George Shultz is on his way to Moscow to talk about a super power summit and a ban on intermediate range nuclear weapons. Speakers: George Shultz (US Secretary of State), Gennadi Gerasimov (Foreign Ministry Spokesman), Max Kampelman, (US Chief Arms Negotiator).
The Afghanistan government is preparing to enter talks with the Mujahideen to establish a ceasefire. Various problems in Kabul are examined.
The Government in Zimbabwe is taking extreme measures to save the black rhino from extinction, including killing poachers. Speakers: Blondie Latham (Ranger).