Letter No.17
16 May, 1995

30 April 1995

The school leaving age is to be raised to age 17 in 1998. The change, which will involve the creation of many more teaching jobs, will cost more than $14 million. Some 9000 young people, or one in five students, usually leave school before their 17th birthday.

1 May 1995

May Day is marked by angry protests throughout Europe and Asia.

At a May Day workers gathering in St Peter's Square in Rome, the Pope said that "with the conflict between socialism and capitalism now over, new dangers are threatening the world of labour..." His message criticised what he called the "hedonistic" and selfish culture of capitalism.

The British Labour Party drops its historical commitment to mass nationalisation of British industry.

More than 50,000 signatures on the firefighters petition asking for a referendum over job cuts have been invalidated by the Clerk of the House. The petition itself still retains enough signatures to force a national referendum on the issue.

The National Bank says that business confidence is stabilising, but the agricultural sector continues to face tough times with the effect of the drought, higher interest rates, and a climbing exchange rate with the US dollar.

2 May 1995

Auckland's Aotea Square - a traditional site of public meetings and protests - is closed all this week as part of tight security surrounding the Asian Development Bank (ADB) conference.

Scenes of scuffles between police and protesters in front of the Carlton Hotel as the ADB Bank Action Coalition launches protest action. They hope to highlight their objections to Bank funding of projects in Asian countries with poor human rights and environmental records. Clashes also at the Bledisloe building and the barricaded Aotea Square.

3 May 1995

A World Health Organisation report cites poverty as the biggest cause of death, disease and suffering worldwide. The report says that more than a fifth of the world's 5.6 billion people live in extreme poverty. More than half the world's population cannot get the most essential drugs, and almost a third of all children are undernourished.

A press conference of Maori activists warns of "extreme acts of terrorism" aimed at foreign investors if the government ignores claims of Maori sovereignty. The warnings include threats of burning down forests and destroying hydro dams.

The ADB Bank Conference see thousands of protesters clashing with police in downtown Auckland. The ADB Bank Coalition marchers were joined by more than 2000 students protesting about education costs. Many more arrests.

The District Court upholds Sue Bradford's right to protest at the ADB Bank conference.

4 May 1995

The Social Services Appeal Authority has ruled that the Income Support Service does not have the authority to force beneficiaries to pay back overpaid benefits if the overpayment occurred due to the Service's error.

Ministry of Youth Affairs announces more Conservation Corps and Youth Corps programmes aimed at enhancing the employment chances of young people.

Jim Bolger shrugs off criticism of foreign investment in NZ. " If there is ambivalence among a few politicians, I can tell you that ambivalence is not shared by the communities that have benefited..." Foreign investment in NZ has risen from $364 million in 1984 to $4,400 million last year.

More violent clashes during protest action at the ADB Bank Conference.

Broadcasters Kim Hill and Bill Ralston describe as "nonsense" the claims by ANGOA report author Jane Kelsey that NZ journalists are being nobbled by politicians keen to minimise a dark side of economic reform.

TV3's Bill Ralston highlights what he describes as heavy-handed police tactics at the ADB demonstrations, during which television cameramen were arrested.

5 May 1995

In the USA, the State of Alabama has reintroduced chain gangs of prisoners, shackled at their ankles, to clean up inter-state highways.

Sue Bradford agrees to bail conditions banning her from further protest action at the ADB Bank conference.

6 May 1995

The Education Ministry is encouraging teachers to return to the profession, saying it now needs 1000 extra teachers next year, and not the earlier estimate of 800.

7 May 1995

Jim Anderton takes back the helm of the Alliance Party after a six-month break from the job. He says he plans to lead it into the next two elections.

Film Festival organisers are refusing to screen a documentary on former rebel National MP Marilyn Waring, entitled Who's counting ? Marilyn Waring on Sex, Lies and Global Economics. They say the content would already be familiar to NZers interested in the subject.

8 May 1995

Jacques Chirac is elected President of France, completing a right-wing seep of every political institution in France.

9 May 1995

More than one in five children in NZ now live in one-parent families, nearly double the proportion of a decade ago.

The latest survey of business conditions by the Auckland Manufacturers Association finds that only 7% of manufacturers expected business confidence to improve over the next 3-6 months.

MP Graeme Lee launches the Christian Democrats Party at the Beehive, and will continue to be in a coalition with the governing National Party. One of his new policies is for tax incentives to encourage mothers to stay at home and rear their children.

The Australian government announces its federal budget which includes tax increases for companies from 33% to 36%.