Waterfront Wars – China Crisis – Dairy Mega-Merger – Sophie Resigns – Auckland Motorway – Paraglider Search – Water
Exports – West Coast – Gas Safety- Elsie Locke
WATERFRONT WARS: Nelson MP Nick Smith says it is graceful the mediator in the Nelson waterfront dispute has called for a
compromise solution. Meanwhile the WWU is standing by claims that Mainland Stevedores is trying to casualise the
waterfront.
CHINA CRISIS: The US says that long term relations with China are at risk because of the spy-plane impasse. Vice
President Dick Cheney says there is nothing to apologise for and Colin Powell says the crisis may affect trade
relationships.
DAIRY MEGA-MERGER: Cabinet will today consider allowing the Dairy Mega-Merger to bypass the Commerce Commission’s
deliberations. The PM says that if the farmers like what they see and if the plan is sound then
SOPHIE RESIGNS: The Queen says the tabloid newspaper scandal that has embroiled her daughter-in-law the Countess of
Wessex is deplorable. Sophie has resigned from her PR agency.
AUCKLAND MOTORWAY: A plan to link Auckland’s motorway with the port is a top priority in Auckland say officials.
PARAGLIDER SEARCH: The search for a missing and injured Kiwi paraglider in Victoria Australia has been scaled down. The
co-ordinator of the search says hopes are slowly fading.
WATER EXPORTS: South Island entrepreneurs are renewing a water exporting plan from Doubtful Sound, in Fiordland. The
latest scheme is smaller than earlier ones. Environmentalists plan to oppose the plan.
WEST COAST: The six West Coast economic development trustees elected at the weekend will meet within a few weeks. The
trustees will have $92 million to manage.
GAS SAFETY: The Wellington Coroner is warning that gas appliances need proper ventilation following the death of a woman
in her bath due to carbon-monoxide poisoning.
ELSIE LOCKE: Elsie Locke has died in Christchurch aged 88. She was a writer and veteran health campaigner. She is the
mother of Keith Locke and Maire Leadbeater.