News, sport and weather.
Main stories:
The re-elected Labour Government has moved with unusual speed to get back to business as usual. From last week’s Cabinet reshuffle eight new Ministers were formally sworn in today. Officials say it’s rare for the ceremony to take place so soon after an election.
Violence in New Caledonia during Kanak demonstrations.
Other stories:
Oil tanker convoys in the Persian Gulf.
Floods in Bangladesh.
The Government is likely to set aside half a million dollars for plans to cope with the effects of possible nuclear war in the Northern Hemisphere. Environment Minister Phil Goff has hinted that will be the response to a planning council report, as the impact of such a war in New Zealand would be catastrophic, although not in the way many people believe. Speakers: Dr Wren Green (Principal Researcher), Dr Max Abbott (Mental Health Foundation), Phil Goff (Outgoing Environment Minister).
Trade unions are being warned that excessive wage demands will lead to further unemployment. The warning from the Employers Federation comes as new figures from the Labour Department show that more than 6 out of every 100 people in the work force are registered as unemployed. The 88,000 people on the dole at the end of July was nearly 23,000 more than at the same time last year. Speakers: Steve Marshall (Employers’ Federation), Ken Douglas (FOL).
Shares in the state owned energy corporation Petrocorp were listed on the sharemarket for the first time today, and the market gave them a spectacular welcome. More than five million shares changed hands in a days trading as investors in search of a quick profit resold their new bough shares. Speakers: John Rowley (Sharebroker), William Falconer (Managing Director, Petrocorp).
Despite that listing, the sharemarket dropped back sharply today, with the Barclays Index down more than 40 points. Meanwhile there was another drop in interest rates today.
The Airways Corporation is to spend $70 million updating the country’s ageing radar system. Speakers: Frank Baldwin (Airways Corporation).
The doctor at the centre of allegations of inadequate treatment of cervical cancer patients at National Women’s Hospital says the Metro magazine article that prompted the Committee of Inquiry (Cartwright Inquiry) is riddled with errors. Dr Herbert Green spent nearly an hour this afternoon detailing what he says are inaccuracies in the story. Speakers: David Collins (Lawyer), Dr Herbert Green.
A Colombian born Australian has been sentenced to five and a half years jail after being caught at Auckland Airport with cocaine worth more than $1 million.
Napier’s Marineland is to get rid of some of its fur seals, who may have to be put down. Speakers: Sheila Belshaw (Marineland Trust Board), John Cheyne (District Conservator).
A Waikato couple owe their house, and possibly their lives, to a cat picked up as a stray a few years ago who raised the alarm when a fire broke out. Speakers: Norah Smith (Stumpy’s Owner).
Sports:
New Zealand can claim to be the top canoeing nation after its performance at the World Championships in West Germany. Kiwis picked up another gold medal and a silver on the second day of the finals, with Paul MacDonald the star of the team. Speaker: Paul MacDonald (Gold Medalist).
Following this success canoeing officials are hoping to host an international event here early next year as a build-up to the Olympics.
Meanwhile the Kiwi rowers have drawn well in the World Championships which start in Copenhagen late tonight.
Netball World Tournament in Glasgow.
The former Grand Prix driver Didier Pironi has been killed in a powerboat accident.
The New Zealand squad for the World Cup cricket tournament has been announced.
The Soviet national basketball side begins its New Zealand tour tonight. Speakers: Alex Gromelski (Soviet Coach), Steve McKean (All Stars Coach).
Top Half.