News, sport and weather.
Main stories:
The Prime Minister has moved to reassure the left wing of the Labour Party over the relationship between economic policy and social commitment. He’s given an assurance that his Government will remain true to traditional principles of social equality and state control and has declared market forces will never be allowed to control areas such as health and education. His speech to Labour’s Otago-Southland Regional Conference produced a display of unity not seen at other regional conferences this year. Speakers: David Lange (Prime Minister), Ruth Dyson (Labour Party Vice President).
Meanwhile when Labour Party members gathered in Christchurch today there was a row over trade union power and influence in the Party. Remits seeking to put the unions on the same footing as ordinary members were eventually thrown out, but not before heated claims that some supporters were trying to knee-cap the trade union movement. Speakers: Mike Moore (Overseas Trade Minster), Pat Kelly (Cleaners’ Union), Geoffrey Palmer (Deputy Prime Minister).
The Prime Minister says there’s no plan to sell off TV Two to private enterprise. Lange said the Government will retain control over both TVNZ channels and it will be up to the Broadcasting Corporation to decide whether they are both viable once the third channel begins operation. However, he didn’t rule out a partial sale.
Heavy rain and strong winds are predicted in northern parts of the country in the next 24 hours as the remnants of Cyclone Dovi approach, the same areas affected by Cyclone Bola a month ago. Speakers: Bevan Turnpenny (Catchment Board), Christine Kemp.
Other stories:
Kanak protests in New Caledonia.
Hijacked Kuwait Airlines aircraft in Algiers.
Car-bombing in Naples.
Arrest of Japanese Red Army member in the United States.
British comedy actor Kenneth Williams has died.
Sport:
The Australian Rugby Union won’t interfere with any of its players who are invited to tour South Africa with the World XV later this year.
The New Zealand America’s Cup team acted today to end the war of words with the San Diego Yacht Club over the September challenge series. Speaker: Michael Fay (Syndicate Chairman).
National Rally Championship. Speakers: Brian Green (Audi Quattro), Neil Allport (Mazda 323 Turbo 4WD).
Zola Budd.
Weather.