Sentencing Reform – Petrol Prices – Megacoop – Pope and Arafat – Clinton in India – 24D Pesticide – Mars Lander – Aids
and Real Estate
SENTENCING REFORM: Judges face being given even more explicit instructions in the future on sentences for serious
crimes. The plan emerged last night during debate of Brian Neeson’s Degrees of Murder Bill. Phil Goff said Neeson’s bill
would be parked while the government considered a new law to give sentencing guidelines to judges.
PETROL PRICES: A call for an inquiry into petrol prices from the Deputy PM has little support from farmers and the
transport industry. Federated Farmers doubts whether an inquiry is necessary. The Road Transport Forum says it keeps its
own eye on prices.
MEGACOOP: Kiwi Dairy Company has suggested bringing in an independent arbitrator to assess the two companies – Kiwi and
NZDG - value in advance of a deadline to make an agreement of this Friday. NZDG is not commenting.
POPE AND ARAFAT: Pope John Paul II has led thousands of people in his first mass in Bethlehem. Later the Pope visited a
refugee camp and spoke of the rights of refugees. Yasser Arafat was beaming with delight.
CLINTON IN INDIA: President Clinton has challenged India to curb its development of nuclear weapons. “You are a great
nation and you must decide”, Mr Clinton told the Parliament.
24D PESTICIDE: Northland people campaigning against spray-drift are asking for a Pesticides Board review of 24D to be
held in public. Mr Newman who was injured by 24D fears the review will be a whitewash.
MARS LANDER: NASA knew a mission to Mars last year would fail because of a thruster problem.
AIDS AND REAL ESTATE: Privacy issues raised in an court case in Auckland. A man wanted to know that the house he
purchased was formerly owned by a man with AIDs. The agent says it is not up to him to disclose such information to a
buyer.