Reporter’s diary

Press, 30 June 1983, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Mission fails FIFTEEN members of the Christchurch Unemployment Action Group arrived at Christchurch Airport yesterday afternoon to express their disapproval to the Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon, of the unemployment situation only to be greeted by a larger group of well prepared policemen, said Mr Craig Burridge, of the action group. “All we wanted to do was show that the young people, who under this Government are the hardest hit, are not just going to sit about waiting for the economic miracle that is round the corner. Unfortunately, we did not see the Prime Minister,” he said. Export market THE NEWLY independent Republic of Snowfed, at Methven, has been writing to various Cabinet Ministers seeking support for the republic and attendance at the independence celebrations in Methven tomorrow. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Cooper, replied that he would be out of the country on July 1 and so would be unable to attend. But, he continued, he would certainly be interested in negotiating a meat and wool export deal from New Zea- ■ land to the new republic

Train trip

RAIL TOURS plans another series of excursions to Arthur’s Pass. The first trip will be on July 17 and there will be others in August and September. Rail Tours, a voluntary organisation, runs these trips to exploit and develop the public demand for railway excursions and promote passenger trains. Because it is. a voluntary group, any financial surpluses accrued from running the trips will be given' to recognised medical or welfare charities. Broadside NEVER BEING one to miss an opportunity to fire a broadside at Australia’s sporting prowess, the Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon, did not let Australia’s dismal showing in the World Cup cricket matches go unnoticed when he visited Canberra recently. Speaking at a National Press Club luncheon, he said, “Some of the old certainties had to be rethought. Australian rugby teams can beat the All Blacks, although I still find that difficult to say without choking, and in cricket New Zealand is at least a match for Australia, along with Zimbabwe, of course, and Sri Lanka.”

High flier “HISTORY has been made” was the triumphant announcement from the office of the Postmaster-General, Mr Talbot, yesterday. Mr Talbot’s press secretary was jubilant after talking to his boss, who was flying at 8000 m somewhere north of the Arctic Circle. Mr Talbot was aboard an executive jet testing the latest in Swedish gadgetry — a portable radio capable of linking into the telephone system. What better way to test it than to call New Zealand? He put a call through to his wife, Anna, in Ashburton and then, to prove that it was not a fluke, he called his press secretary in Wellington. How had this made history? “Well, it just happens to be the greatest distance the equipment has been tested over,” said the secretary, “but I cannot tell you any more than that... the line went dead.” Over-loading

TELETHON organisers learned yesterday that some people had experienced difficulty telephoning pledges to Telethon numbers in Christchurch during the 24hour appeal. “This is coming to light in letters accompanying cheques through the post,” says the national organiser of Telethon* Mr Tom Parkin-

son. “It appears that there may have been difficulties with overloading in some areas. We apologise if some people were frustrated or disappointed and we would appreciate them taking their donations to any branch of the Bank of New Zealand or posting them to the Telethon Trust, Private Bag, Auckland.” Trade talks A SEMINAR on the European Economic Community and the important issue of New Zealand’s access to European markets, has been organised by the department of extension studies of the University of Canterbury. The seminar aims to give a better understanding of the background of the European Economic Community and the role Britain has played in New Zealand’s access negotiations. It will also consider the prospects for New Zealand’s longterm relations with the Community, as well as the role of the smaller member countries such as Belgium, Ireland, and Denmark. The seminar will be held in the geography department from 7.30 p.m. on Friday, July 22, and from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Saturday, July 23. The speakers will include the Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr J. <H. Fawcett. f