Open mike 04/03/2016

76 comments on “Open mike 04/03/2016 ”

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1. ropata 1

   4 March 2016 at 7:12 am

   rwnj coworker, yesterday: “awesome, property prices in my suburb are shooting up and i am going to make 500k woohoo!”

   rwnj coworker, later: “i hate paying taxes to lazy bludgers that never get off their arses”

   my reply: “white collar criminals are the real problem mate”. Too subtle?
   • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1

     4 March 2016 at 7:27 am

     Best answer to the second drivel is to point out that there are always so many more bludgers under National.
   • Paul 1.2

     4 March 2016 at 7:30 am

     Reply to rwnj
     “How are your kids going to buy a house?”
   • Rosie 1.3

     4 March 2016 at 9:23 am

     Yeah, too subtle for him or her to get the irony of those two statements.

     The other thing about this excitement people have house prices going up in their area. – Unless they are going to sell and downscale and take the profit how do they think the money will actually materialise? Or do they think the value is a tangible thing?

     How is in increased house value going to make you any wealthier?

     In our case, our increasing house value is making us poorer as our rates have gone up $400 in 4 years due to an artificial increase. The bank has told me our house prices have gone up because the large houses on the new development around us have a high value and that is pushing ours up.

     Its all fake. The way the housing market works is rigged against housing being an accessible affordable necessity for all.
     • Pasupial 1.3.1

       4 March 2016 at 10:21 am

       Rosie
       Increased valuation means an increased lending limit – which feels like wealth to the shortsighted. The rates downside is something that drives residents out of communities and frees their properties for landbankers to acquire.
       • Draco T Bastard 1.3.1.1

         4 March 2016 at 12:12 pm

         +1
       • Rosie 1.3.1.2

         4 March 2016 at 12:44 pm

         “Increased valuation means an increased lending limit –”

         Ok, got that. btw, when a I was shopping around for a new fixed mortgage rate I was looking an offer from another bank. Although the QV valuation had said the house had an increased by $30K the person at the bank who told me the banks uses a different approach to valuation (?!?) said our valuation had gone up by $60K! so based on that we had enough equity for that bank to take us on as a home loan customer. (I didn’t go with it, I got my bank to match it as much as they could – too much hassle otherwise)

         So suddenly there is extra lending opportunities. I see what you are saying. But this is just daft. Why would you willingly take on more debt, eg trade up to bigger flasher house just because you could. You’d be a fool as you’d be more indebted no?
         • Kevin 1.3.1.2.1

           4 March 2016 at 12:49 pm

           Rosie, changing banks is a piece of cake these days. When I changed a couple of years ago, mortgage, credit card, savings and cheque was all done by my new bank. Just had to go in and sign some paperwork.

           Make them earn their money I say.
           • Rosie 1.3.1.2.1.1

             4 March 2016 at 2:07 pm

             Thing is it was going to cost. There was the cost of leaving the other bank which the new bank would only partially cover, and I also didn’t want to take my other accounts and insurance to the new bank, which was a condition of them giving me a home loan.

             Lol, I did make them earn their money. It basically got down to the two banks trying to out do each other with reducing that fee and giving that incentive etc but in the end, it was easier to stay with kiwibank and get a fixed rate of 4.25% down from 5.25%. BNZ had offered 4.19% so it worked out pretty well.
             The whole exercise was really to get my bank to sit up and take me seriously, I never fully intended to move. I also didn’t want to move to a foreign owned bank either. One of the main reasons I’m with Kiwibank is because we own it.
         • Murray Simmonds 1.3.1.2.2

           4 March 2016 at 1:53 pm

           Rosie: “Why would you willingly take on more debt, eg trade up to bigger flasher house just because you could. You’d be a fool as you’d be more indebted no?”

           Not only that, Rosie, but when the bubble bursts, those sitting on a mortgage for what was a 2 million house will lose a helluva lot more than those sitting on the mortgage for what was a half-million house.

           AND they’ll still have the original mortgage to pay, even though its now worth more than the house.
           • Rosie 1.3.1.2.2.1

             4 March 2016 at 2:11 pm

             And what a hard lesson in greed that would be!

             This discussion reminds of a book I haven’t read yet. Jane Kelseys F.I.R.E book about our finance, insurance and real estate industries.

             Anyone read it?
   • sabine 1.4

     4 March 2016 at 9:16 pm

     should have asked him if he would have enough money to buy another house in the same neighbourhood were he to sell his house.
2. ropata 2

   4 March 2016 at 7:14 am

   This:

   Affordable good housing must be the corner stone of any modern democracy without it we are no more than serfs https://t.co/w2sh8hgNQu— Harry Leslie Smith (@Harryslaststand) March 3, 2016
3. BLiP 3

   4 March 2016 at 8:01 am

   ‘

   interesting article looking at the rise of Trump . . .

   Various pundits have pointed out that Donald Trump is a nightmare of the Republican Party’s own making. Since Richard Nixon first began exploiting the ‘culture wars’ to deliberately woo socially conservative Democrat voters in the early 1970s, the GOP’s dependence on reactionary populism has grown increasingly dangerous. The racial dog-whistles have become more audible and the anger of the ‘angry white men’ harder to contain within a political machine whose ultimate purpose is to defend corporate and elite interests.

   The contradiction that was brilliantly papered-over by the likes of Reagan, Gingrich and Rove, between alienated grass-roots conservatives and big money, has broken cover. One of Trump’s main virtues in the eyes of his supporters is that he ‘says what he thinks’, and the fact that it is incoherent is only further proof of his honesty. Coherence is viewed as an artefact of political management, and the Republican hardcore have had enough of that . . .

   http://www.perc.org.uk/project_posts/trump-and-the-charisma-of-unreason/
4. Puckish Rogue 4

   4 March 2016 at 9:07 am

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11599390

   I don’t think Kelvin Davis is going to be making easy hits now that someone competent is in charge of corrections
   • Ffloyd 4.1

     4 March 2016 at 9:27 am

     Who would that be? I thought it was Collins.
     • Puckish Rogue 4.1.1

       4 March 2016 at 9:40 am

       “Because her name was already known to the offender, and Corrections used generic work email addresses, Mr Davis did not feel he had revealed any new information, or put the officer in any danger”

       Yeah I can just imagine the left letting this one go if it had been a National MP that had done this
       • Stuart Munro 4.1.1.1

         4 March 2016 at 10:24 am

         We probably would because we have such an abundance of material. The Key government is frankly a disaster for New Zealand, there is no metric upon which they are not a disaster, we don’t have to beat up pitiful shite like this.

         What you have here is a fatuous accusation like the Clark forgery bullshit and you cackle like a goose up to its ankles in good luck. To attain any level of credibility you must look objectively at what is happening.

         No doubt the tame MSM can be stimulated to make disapproving noises – but Collins complaining about impropriety is like Tamerlane reproaching someone for unnecessary roughness.
         • Puckish Rogue 4.1.1.1.1

           4 March 2016 at 10:30 am

           So basically if National does it = bad but if Labour does it = its ok because National does it as well

           I’m sure I’ve heard that claim somewhere before
           • Stuart Munro 4.1.1.1.1.1

             4 March 2016 at 2:14 pm

             No you read it – that meme’s on your tr0ll instruction sheet – you’re not supposed to put that online, they’ll probably dock your pay now.
             • Puckish Rogue …

               4 March 2016 at 4:30 pm

               Naah I’m in tight with the smoking room so its all good, nepotism is a wonderful thing 🙂
               • Stuart Munro …

                 4 March 2016 at 4:37 pm

                 Instamax – it’s you! I guess it was inevitable what with the DJ thing not panning out.
       • Planet Earth 4.1.1.2

         4 March 2016 at 2:09 pm

         Witness the wailing and gnashing of teeth when Cameron Slater published Nicki Hager’s address (even though he’s in the phone book)!
         • Stuart Munro 4.1.1.2.1

           4 March 2016 at 3:23 pm

           Context is everything – was the Whale recommending peace and civility? And what did the staffer have to say about it all – Collins is quite capable of taking umbrage over a non-issue for her own purposes.
     • reason 4.1.2

       4 March 2016 at 10:57 am

       Collins …………….. who’s friends with Cameron Slater and has been sacked from cabinet once already.

       I would rate this ex tax lawyer the most corrupt justice and police minister we have ever had ………………

       Seems like her free-styling make it up as you go approach is still the same …..

       “Its a pretty obvious effort to front-foot and limit the bad publicity bubbling out of her portfolio. Its also illegal. Section 161 of the Corrections Act 2004 gives MP’s an absolute right to visit prisons and talk to prisoners at any time. This right is not subject to Ministerial approval or prior notification, and for good reason: its to ensure independent eyes on the system and to allow problems to be exposed”
       http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/

       Does illegal mean competent in PukeR speak ???????
   • Draco T Bastard 4.2

     4 March 2016 at 12:15 pm

     I didn’t know that National had outsourced the Minister of Corrections to a party of the Left.
5. Chooky 5

   4 March 2016 at 9:57 am

   ‘Is Trump holding Christie hostage?’

   https://www.rt.com/shows/big-picture/334370-super-tuesday-presidential-candidates/

   “Tonight’s Politics Panel talks about yesterday’s Super Tuesday results, how Hillary advisers are trying to appeal to Trump supporters, and whether Trump is holding Chris Christie hostage. Thom discusses the presidential candidates’ economic policies with economist Marshall Auerback and in tonight’s Daily Take Thom debunks the myth that Democrats are bad for business.”
6. cowboy 6

   4 March 2016 at 9:59 am

   The continuing saga of Todd Barclay.

   http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/375242/claim-secret-recording
   • Puckish Rogue 6.1

     4 March 2016 at 10:28 am

     Time to cut him loose, its a safe seat so it should go to someone deserving
     • cowboy 6.1.1

       4 March 2016 at 10:42 am

       I agree PR, although would seem highly unusual for a sitting member to be deselected. I would have thought their instinct would be to ride it out and hope it blows over as per Bill English’s “nothing to see here” comments. Clearly the local media down here know there is more to run on this or they would not be giving it so much oxygen.
       • Puckish Rogue 6.1.1.1

         4 March 2016 at 10:52 am

         I’ll also add someone local and deserving
   • BLiP 6.2

     4 March 2016 at 11:15 am

     ‘

     So, Todd Barclay can’t talk about employment matters but he can release a resignation letter to the media. What a creepy chap he is.

     http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/375034/barclay-apologises-release-letter
     • Cowboy 6.2.1

       4 March 2016 at 11:27 am

       Yes, quite happy to discuss employment matters when it is seen to corroborate his version of events. Amateur mistake that calls into question his suitability for role. Luckily for him the local Nats have kept their public discipline.
   • Rosie 6.3

     4 March 2016 at 12:53 pm

     So to recap. A total of three staff have resigned, there is something about a secret recording which some National Party members would like to get to the bottom of and to top it off the kid releases private and confidential employment documents, a resignation letter, to the media. (See BLiP 6.2)

     Great stuff there kiddo. Well on your way as a Dirty Politics cadet. To pass on private communications you’d either have to be ignorant of the way such comms should be appropriately handled, which he shouldn’t be, as he has worked at Parliament and would understand protocols. OR you are wanting to turn the view around and make it look like you’re the victim and act in a way that is in keeping with the DP handbook?
7. TC 7

   4 March 2016 at 10:03 am

   Nice new mobile site, soo much faster and cleaner. Thanks lprent
8. joe90 8

   4 March 2016 at 10:09 am

   Listening to the crowd it seems America is ready to elect a president who makes blowjob jokes about his political opponents.

   All class.
   /

   Thursday, blasting the former Massachusetts governor for “begging” for his endorsement four years ago only to sharply criticize him now.

   “I don’t know what happened to him,” Trump said during a rally in Portland, Maine. “You can see how loyal he is. He was begging for my endorsement. I could have said, ‘Mitt, drop to your knees.’ He would have dropped to his knees.”

   http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/03/politics/donald-trump-mitt-romney-would-have-dropped-to-his-knees-for-my-endorsement/
   • Andre 8.1

     4 March 2016 at 2:03 pm

     Y’know, I can see Trump doing the ponytail thing, publicly talking about peeing in the shower and “feeding the chickens”, really off jokes to foreign heads of state, no problem. I still can’t picture Trump climbing into a cage to “pick up the soap” though.
9. Bea Brown 9

   4 March 2016 at 10:41 am

   Gosh joe90.
   I thought he meant go down on your knees and beg.
   To the pure all things are pure I guess.
   • Grindlebottom 9.1

     4 March 2016 at 10:46 am

     He could’ve meant either. It’s being interpreted as a BJ reference by some reporters.
     He’ll get away with it because like you say it’s interpreted by what’s in the mind of the listener/reader. I shudder to think Trump might become POTUS but as a GOP candidate he’s endlessly entertaining. 🙂

     The GOP establishment’s wheeled Mitt Romney out with a robotic script delivery I guess as their first shot across the bows of Donald J. He’s already blown Mitt out of the water.
10. Sirenia 10

    4 March 2016 at 12:08 pm

    Please will people help the Waitara Three. Being sued for bankruptcy by a very vindictive regional council run by a Fonterra man https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/supportthewaitara3/
    • saveNZ 10.1

      4 March 2016 at 2:04 pm

      +100 Sirenia

      How outrageous!!! How can the council pursue costs when the commissioners said the river needed greater environmental protection?

      More info please.

      Also looking forward to seeing how much legal fees the council have spent pursuing a few individuals who appear to be trying to make the water safer for the community the council are supposed to work for!
      • Sirenia 10.1.1

        4 March 2016 at 10:32 pm

        The council has apparently spent almost $300,000 attacking this group. Group has also just won a big environmental award. Something seriously wrong in regional government in Taranaki.
11. TopHat 11

    4 March 2016 at 12:19 pm

    I just wondering if people in the round world have heard of this new threat ;

    http://thehackernews.com/2016/03/drown-attack-openssl-vulnerability.html

    Should be in the news. Cybersecurity is one of the Govt.s focus points is it not?
12. Ad 12

    4 March 2016 at 12:37 pm

    If TRP is out there could I please get an opinion on Labour’s stance on this new National employment legislation?

    I just detest the idea of Labour agreeing with National about any kind of employment legislation.

    I would hate to think it’s a precursor to the ‘flexibility’ Labour will espouse from Robertson’s ridiculous ‘Future Of Work’.
    • Rosie 12.1

      4 March 2016 at 12:58 pm

      Check this out – from the horses mouth. Iain Lees Galloway talks us through Labour’s strategy.

      http://thestandard.org.nz/iain-lees-galloway-were-winning-on-zero-hour-contracts/
      • Ad 12.1.1

        4 March 2016 at 1:07 pm

        I was looking for a union view.

        I don’t yet trust Labour on this issue after folding on 90 day fire at will.
        • Rosie 12.1.1.1

          4 March 2016 at 2:29 pm

          Ok. Well, If it’s any reassurance at all, Iain Lee Galloway used to be an organiser for the NZNO, so he has some sympathies in that area.

          I understand your reluctance to trust Labour on working with the National government on a major piece of employment legislation when Andrew Little rang alarm bells last year with his mention of “tweaking” the 90 day act, when addressing a bunch of business people in the Hutt.

          It took me two weeks to get an answer from Grant Robertson – I was asking him to clarify Labour’s poistion, and I still felt uneasy about the response.

          Believe me, as a former union organiser myself as a job seeker in today’s use and abuse job market I’m hypersensitive to how such talks with National will proceed. The framework that Iain provided did give me some reassurance that they are at least approaching this the right way.

          Legislation is only part of addressing the wrongs that are occurring however. There must be employer cultural change and employees must learn to regain their self respect and dignity – we’ve been brutalised for years and to a certain degree given up on the belief we can have better work lives.

          All the above will take years and it will be a difficult transition for some.
          • Ad 12.1.1.1.1

            4 March 2016 at 3:06 pm

            Mr Galloway would do well to come on this site and explain himself.

            Labour have no digital means of engaging since they shut down Red Alert.
            So they may as well actually front up here.

            I have received no other communications from Labour about why they are cutting a deal with National on our employment law. Their media releases on the matter were raw spin.

            I’m not interested in cultural change: legislative change is the only thing that will lead cultural change in this area.

            Front up someone.
            • The Chairman 12.1.1.1.1.1

              4 March 2016 at 3:48 pm

              He fronted up the other day.

              I was hoping for a reply, but have yet to receive one. Which, is far from reassuring.
              • Ad …

                4 March 2016 at 4:23 pm

                Cheers, didn’t realize that he’d come on.
                I stand corrected.
                • Rosie …

                  4 March 2016 at 6:52 pm

                  “Cheers, didn’t realize that he’d come on.’

                  Well, that’s exactly what I clearly pointed out to you in my link provided to you 20 minutes after you suggested Labour needed to front up.

                  Maybe I’m just talking to a brick wall.
              • rhinocrates …

                4 March 2016 at 4:25 pm

                Why am I not surprised?

                OK, because I’m a cynical bastard.

                Suggestion for a new slogan for Labour, since it’s supposed to be “rebranding” itself this year:

                “Sprinkling the very best glitter on National’s turds.”

                A bit more seriously, again, I think that it’s indicative of Labour’s closed-door culture and Little’s past as a negotiator who worked as part of a hierarchically-structured organisation on behalf of subscribers.

                In essences, it’s “trust us, we’ll get you the best deal, then you can vote.” Public, democratic politics is messier, more overtly populist, more dynamic.

                Closed-door dealmaking only alienates the base. Bloviating press releases like Iain L-G’s go straight into the recycling bin.

                That alienation is only going to get worse with a younger generation who actually knows how to use social media. Little wouldn’t dream of tweeting from a meeting, a millennial wouldn’t dream of not doing business that way.
            • Rosie 12.1.1.1.1.2

              4 March 2016 at 4:23 pm

              Hi Ad. That link I sent WAS Labour fronting up on this site. Iain Lees Galloway explained their strategy. If you’re a Labour party member you should have received an email earlier this week – explaining their position.

              Agree that legislative change must come first to then filter down to cultural change. Of course it does.

              As a vulnerable worker in often precarious work situations I know first hand how the culture has changed as a direct result of legislation. But employers won’t change their attitudes based on new rules – their workers have to hold them to account and push for their rights – this is culture change and it HAS to happen. Believe me, even the ads posted for jobs these days are hostile, insulting and patronising. Thats to do with culture, not legislation.

              You may not interested in culture change, but as someone hugely affected by employer attitudes I am.
          • The Chairman 12.1.1.1.2

            4 March 2016 at 3:51 pm

            Rosie, Labour wants to remove the ability for employers to put people on contracts where they are on call with no permanent hours. Implying, apart from being given a number of permanent hours, Labour are not seeking compensation for workers being on call.

            If this is the case, this is insufficient protection for workers, thus far from reassuring.

            Still waiting for Iain to clear this up.
            • Rosie 12.1.1.1.2.1

              4 March 2016 at 4:27 pm

              Valid point re the compensation for on call workers. As far as I know they were using “set minimum hours” as a base. I don’t know what happens after that.

              Maybe email Iain himself. From time to time I email MP’s when something isn’t clear. Sometimes you need to give them a prod as a reminder to respond.
              • The Chairman …

                4 March 2016 at 4:43 pm

                In regards to emailing him, It’s Iain’s job to inform the public on such matters. Not just individuals that can be bothered to email him.

                Moreover, he chose to utilize this site, but failed to keep up with communications.

                He really needs to clear this matter up.

                Furthermore, what with the 90 days and TPP, they can’t afford to mess this up.
                • Rosie …

                  4 March 2016 at 7:01 pm

                  I don’t know what to say. It was just a practical suggestion, regardless of what anyone’s expectations might be of their MP’s, you know, things like responding to questions in public forum.

                  If you do email him, you can copy his answer into a comment of Open Mike and then we’ll all know.
              • The Chairman …

                4 March 2016 at 4:47 pm

                And get this, the Greens claim to not have seen the changes made. What happen to working closer together with their potential coalition partners?
      • The Chairman 12.1.2

        4 March 2016 at 1:12 pm

        I’m still awaiting his reply to my questions.
    • Robert Glennie 12.2

      4 March 2016 at 1:51 pm

      It’s sort of like Labour has sold the essence of its very name. “Labour” was formed to represent workers, and here we have it supporting a bit of legislation by its polar opposite that concerns the very people it was formed to represent.

      Natbour.
      • The Chairman 12.2.1

        4 March 2016 at 2:02 pm

        Labours argument is voting against it would mean leaving thousands of New Zealanders stuck in zero hour contracts.

        However, If zero hour contracts remain, they will vote against it. Go figure?

        There seems to be no discussion on attaining fiscal compensation for those on-call.
        • aerobubble 12.2.1.1

          4 March 2016 at 2:46 pm

          Worse, i read someplace that fair compensation shoul be paid, and so all Labour needed to do was speak to that, in parliament. i.e more than the dole, less that the minimum wage per hour to wait. But not it has to be a fight not a principled negoiation.
    • rhinocrates 12.3

      4 March 2016 at 4:20 pm

      Don’t blame Robertson, blame the writer for The Economist he plagiarised.
13. Puckish Rogue 13

    4 March 2016 at 3:11 pm

    https://garethsworld.com/blog/health/pharmac-and-the-crazies-john-key-admits-mistake-andrew-little-looks-to-repeat-it/

    Normally I’d be using it as proof that Littles stuffed up again but since its Gareth Morgan saying it…
14. rhinocrates 14

    4 March 2016 at 4:04 pm

    Racist cops deny problem. They’ll deal with it as well as they deal with their internal rape culture no doubt.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/298060/police-reject-africans'-claims-of-racial-abuse

    Watch this go through the usual stages:

    1. “No problem”, belittle the victim.

    2. Under duress, pretend to hold an inquiry and issue new “guidelines.”

    3. Claim that the new guidelines have solved the problem.

    4. “No problem, we dealt with it long ago, it’s historical.” Belittle the victim.

    In the interests of efficiency, the current government will allow them to go directly from stage 1 to 4.

    Some monkeys were bypassed by evolution alright – so they shaved and put on blue suits.
15. Morrissey 15

    4 March 2016 at 4:44 pm

    Years ago, Jim Mora called that bag of wind Barack Obama “the leading
    orator of our time”; now look at who he’s calling “quite a thinker”.
    The Panel, RNZ National, Friday 4 March 2016
    Jim Mora, Ali Jones, Selwyn Manning, Zara Potts

    This piece of penetrating analysis occurred about halfway through the program….

    JIM MORA: It’s interesting, all these secret Trump supporters. An Hispanic woman whose family escaped from Castro’s Cuba says she will vote for Trump and so will all her acquaintances. She said political correctness is the beginning of the end. And you know, she’s quite a thinker. …

    ALI JONES: He’s a racist bully.

    MORA: But they aren’t all, by any means, the red-necked owners of guns…..
16. Descendant Of Sssmith 16

    4 March 2016 at 5:09 pm

    Haha some of my mates think I should buy this piece of history.

    Of course I see it as history showing Tory Prime Minister getting benefits from socialist ownership.

    Of course the Tory’s win when it’s in private ownership as well.

    It’s just the rest of us that miss out when stuff is sold off.

    Muldoons free NZR pass.

    http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=1044490240
17. Descendant Of Sssmith 17

    4 March 2016 at 5:12 pm

    On a more serious note some time back there were some posts referring to the Ottoman massacre of Armenians.

    This photographer has increased awareness of this in a pretty cool way.

    http://www.dianamarkosian.com/pages/1915
18. North 18

    4 March 2016 at 6:13 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11599987

    Piss off Soper…….what evidence is there that ‘Prince Max’ is being cyberbullied……none except the whining of an effete daddy grasping at the straws of political lift, off the back of his own blood if needs be. That’s no evidence. Daddy’s doing a number – that’s all that whining amounts to.

    In any event, Max is right into it. “Me asleep on Air Force One” as he Instagrams an obviously staged pic’ of himself. What ? The son of PMONZ trying to put himself across the son of POTUS. Gimme a break !

    You’re boring and unartful Soper, even to yourself. That’s why you’re driven to make yourself part of the story. Winston Peters had your measure years ago in John McCain’s office in Washington DC. Remember that one Soper……? You didn’t learn did ya ? Still the old wahanui.
19. Gangnam Style 19

    4 March 2016 at 6:14 pm

    Interesting, http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/03/secret-donald-trump-voters-speak-out?CMP=twt_gu
    • pat 19.1

      4 March 2016 at 8:39 pm

      wow
20. Smilin 20

    4 March 2016 at 7:20 pm

    This excerpt from 1943 in the Evening Post just about sums up this govt of today and there attitude Just change the names as you see fit to today’s world
    This is the shit that Key bastard wants to keep going

    “Because of the attacks made on the trade union movement by the Nationalists during the election campaign it appears necessary to express the views on this point of an organisation which represents 38,000 workers,” said Mr. F. P. Walsh, president of the Wellington Trades Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, in a statement today.
    “Mr. Holland’s attack on the trade union leaders reveals that he is fundamentally opposed to industrial unionism,” said Mr. Walsh. “Like his political ancestors throughout the past century Mr. Holland would be delighted with a leaderless trade union movement. The Nationalists, like all Tories of the past, hate the leaders of trade unions because the activities of those leaders, and their insistence on fair play for the workers, disturb the tranquillity of those who enjoy easy profits and big dividends from organised business. “Members of trade unions throughout the country have had to put up with a great deal of abuse of their leaders, whom the Nationalists term ‘Labour bosses.’ That Nationalist attitude was also adopted by the Lee Party. They side-stepped the fact that the trade union movement, by reason of its constitution, rules, and love of liberty, has no dictators. Its leaders are elected annually on democratic principles. “What the trades union movement has accomplished on behalf of the workers and the people as a whole, not only in ameliorating labour conditions, but in social services generally, is appreciated by everybody. But we realise that a victory of the Fascist Powers in the present war would destroy all that has been achieved, and we are wholeheartedly behind the Government in its administration of the war effort of the Dominion. THE WAR EFFORT. “Yet the attitude taken up by the Nationalists during the election has been definitely damaging to that war effort. For political gain and to help the employing class the Nationalists advocated a reduced military effort. To catch a few votes they set out to capitalise on the furlough draft, regardless of the fact that the course they advocated would have jeopardised the chances of any further men being granted a well-earned holiday in New Zealand. “The Nationalists also attempted to weaken New Zealand’s war effort on the home front. They attacked every law and every provision for maintaining full efficiency in defence and in military training for overseas. They endeavoured to” turn people’s wartime sacrifices, and wartime shortages of commodities, and inevitable wartime inconveniences into political grievances. They tried to convince the people that they would be better off if all the measures for their protection against wartime difficulties were removed. They advocated that prices should be left to the will of private enterprise, and that nothing should be protected except the old Tory privilege of grabbing all the good things of life. “In all of these actions the Nationalists sapped the morale of the nation. “Another enemy of our war effort was the doctrine that the war could be paid for without any cost to the people of the country. “The people showed by their votes that they are not so gullible as the glib but muddle-headed apostles of easy money who contested the election. The people of New Zealand showed that they have a true understanding of the fact that the war has to be paid for by ourselves, out of the goods and services that we produce, and that no jugglery can avoid it. INDUSTRIAL LABOUR’S PLEDGE. “The workers of New Zealand are, therefore, determined to work wholeheartedly to increase their production and thus do all that is in their power towards achieving victory. •’They are convinced also that the I industrial conditions under which they can do their best are only possible under the Labour Government. “The whole of organised industrial labour, therefore, gives its pledge that it will continue to work to its utmost to increase the production of the Dominion, and to support the Labour Government in its policy of carrying on the war without any relaxation, and at the same time maintaining the highest possible standard of living in fair play to all sections of the community.”

    The war being today, the TPPA

    We are going to get that little tory prick one way or another
21. instauration 21

    4 March 2016 at 9:22 pm

    Sorry – as I do appreciate that OM is special and not a tech forum !
    However it is difficult to be anywhere else on TS using FireFox 44.0.2 on FC2x – just renders a “Content Encoding Error”.
    This message is posted using IE11 on Windows8.1 – not where I wish to be – get me out of here please !
22. instauration 22

    4 March 2016 at 9:40 pm

    All was good till 44.0.2 upgrade yesterday.
23. instauration 23

    4 March 2016 at 10:01 pm

    And Chrome 48.0.2564.116 (64-bit) on FC2x
    ERR_CONTENT_DECODING_FAILED
    Was all good till today
    No cache/cookies retained in either FC2x browser and W8/IE11 VM uses the same network and ISP
24. Smilin 24

    4 March 2016 at 10:06 pm

    Change the flag for a bag of of DAGS

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