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Main stories:
Earthquakes measuring between 3 and 4 on the Richter scale continue to shake the Eastern Bay of Plenty today, but Civil Defence authorities believe the period for serious concern has passed. A state of emergency will remain in force until tomorrow morning when it will be reviewed again. The Regional Controller of Civil Defence says the priority is to ensure the mental health of all the families whose homes have been wrecked. Prime Minister David Lange has launched an Eastern Bay of Plenty relief fund following his visit to the area today; the Government will match each dollar donated. In Edgecumbe the full effect of yesterday’s big quake became apparent this morning when the clean-up began. Reports from Edgecumbe, Whakatane and Kawerau. Speakers: Dr Keith Ridings (Medical Superintendent), Johnny Lepper (Civil Defence Controller).
The quakes that continue to shake the Bay of Plenty are being studied closely in Wellington at the Seismological Observatory. Scientists there are gathering data from portable monitors set up in the quake area so they can find out more about what happened. Speaker: Euan Smith (Seismologist).
Scientists tonight learnt a little more about what happened during the earthquake. They say a geological feature under the sea known as the Matata Shelf collapsed during the quake. The fault line is adjusting to that collapse, and that’s what is causing the swarm of aftershocks. Government agencies prepared today to cope with the aftermath of the disaster. The Earthquake and War Damage Commission and the Department of Social Welfare were already putting in place measures to help the earthquake victims.
Other stories:
Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shervadnadze has arrived in Canberra.
Soviet arms control negotiators today formally presented Mikhail Gorbachev’s missile reduction proposal at a special session of the Geneva arms reduction talks.
The South Pacific forum nations opened a two day meeting in Auckland today, and New Caledonia's independence was the number one item on the agenda.
The Prime Minister David Lange got it wrong yesterday when he claimed leading critics of New Zealand’s defence policy were attending a right-wing defence seminar in Washington. Two men he named both declined invitations to attend. The Prime Minister also claimed Opposition Defence Spokesman Doug Kidd’s presence in Washington at the same time was no coincidence. But United States Ambassador to New Zealand Paul Cleveland has defended Kidd, saying he’s touring the US on a visitors grant.
Service stations in Dunedin have all but run out of super grade petrol after a day of panic buying. A shipping dispute is tying up four coastal petrol tankers and Dunedin is the worst affected centre. Speaker: Ross Kean (Service Station Manager).
A split is developing between the country’s three firefighters unions over strike action to support their wage claim. Both the South Island and Central region have given 14 days notice of strike action, but the Northern union is suggesting members go to the Public Sector Tribunal instead. Speaker: Brian Armstrong (Fire Commissioner).
Two of New Zealand’s biggest newspaper publishers are heading for a clash over the country’s richest advertising market. NZ News, publishers of the Auckland Star, is launching a morning paper (the Auckland Sun) to compete with the New Zealand Herald. Speakers: Michael Forbes (NZ News), Warwick Spicer (Auckland Star).
Hollywood stars Randolph Scott and Joan Greenwood have died.
Sport:
The West Indies deservedly won the second cricket test against New Zealand at Eden Park late this afternoon.
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