FRONTLINE. 04/02/1990

It used to be very much part of our culture. Remember the collection of old clothes for the hungry and homeless overseas? Now it’s down, and almost out. CORSO, once New Zealand’s powerful and internationally respected aid agency, is a bitterly divided remnant of its former self. The infighting and recriminations combined with crippling debt, mean CORSO can no longer offer the same help to the poor and oppressed. In the next few weeks CORSO organisers will carve up what’s left of the assets, and leave the warring factions to decide whether to carry on, or go their own way.

Interviewees: David Cuthbert, former CORSO Treasurer; Brian Talboys, Deputy Prime Minister (1979); Ross Stevens, former CORSO Secretary (1984); Janet Roborgh, Corso, New Plymouth (1984); Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, PPANAC, (1984); Wendy Lee, Africa-Middle East Committee; Teresa Kuroi, Coalition for Democracy Fiji; Margaret Jones, CORSO member.

What would Britain do without the monarchy? To many it’s a respected and integral part of society. What sort of Commonwealth Games would we have without a waving royal? yet in the UK, different political groups are predicting the end of the importance of the royal family as we’ve known it. The BBC’s Newsnight programme asks the question ‘Will the monarchy live on?’.

A story on the plight of a couple who applied to the City Council to hold their wedding in the Botanical Gardens, only to find that their plans have been thwarted by a royal garden party. Mayor Vicky Buck finds another spot so the couple can continue their plans.