HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: Re: 19 September referendum
From: Michael.Norrish@comp.vuw.ac.nz (Michael Norrish)
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 23:21:13 GMT
 comp.vuw.ac.nz> <1992Sep3.020154.21901@cs.aukuni.ac.nz>
Organization: Dept. of Computer Science, Victoria Uni. of Wellington, NZ.

>>>>> On Thu, 3 Sep 1992 02:01:54 GMT, cwes1@cs.aukuni.ac.nz (Clare
>>>>> West) said:

Clare> Michael.Norrish@comp.vuw.ac.nz (Michael Norrish) writes:
>
>ii) the party doesn't have the monopoly on power that is implied by
>the fact that parties specify party lists.

Clare> I would once have thought this a problem but have you noticed
Clare> that most MPs are elected on the basis of the party which they
Clare> represent rather than on their own merits? This means that the
Clare> current selection of MPs iis largely down to what candidates
Clare> the pary puts forward in safe seats. MMP just makes this more
Clare> open and up front than it is right now. Under MMP it is
Clare> possible to vote against your 'preferred' party in the local
Clare> vote - if you don't like their candidate or whatever and still
Clare> vote for them in the national vote. A big improvement I think.

I certainly didn't wish to imply that I thought MMP was worse than the
current system! It's clear to me that it would in fact be a great
improvement. 

The advantage that STV has in this respect is that each
electorate gets to make its choice as to which candidates it wishes to
elect and need not be overly constrained by party lists. The way I
understand it works is that there will be multiple candidates from the
same party for an electorate, because each electorate elects multiple
representatives. That way, voters have a much greater choice, even
if they only wish to vote for one party as they can pick and choose
from among the offered candidates.

Michael.


--
--- Michael Norrish  -------------------- mnorrish@comp.vuw.ac.nz ---

       "I am not sure how clouds get formed. But the clouds know 
           how to do it, and that is the important thing."
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: Re: Japanese Imports
From: kilroy@acme.gen.nz (earthbound misfit, I)
Date: Wed, 02 Sep 92 10:25:13 GMT
Organization: ACME BBS - Public Access Usenet, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Bill Bennett <billy@sideways.welly.gen.nz> writes:

> davidnz@leland.Stanford.EDU (David Richard Bell) writes:
> 
> > roads in NZ. The influx of imports has dramatically *lowered* the average
> > age of cars on the road. Surely newer cars are "better", safer, and more
> > fuel efficient than the wrecks that used to populate our roads.
>  
> Why should newer cars be safer? Take a look at a new japanese car and an 
> older American or European car. Which has the stronger body? Which is 
> less likely to crumble in a pile up? Sorry , new does not necessarily 
> equate with good.

Bill, you're reinforcing a lot of the negative stereotypes people have about
journalists here.

Firstly, your second sentence could (accurately) be rewritten as "Take a look
at a new American/Korean/European/Japanese car...." but it's much more
"acceptable" to bash the Japanese.

Secondly, you appear to be ignorant of the fact that modern vehicles are
*deliberately* designed to crumple in major accidents to absorb the energy of
the impact and protect the passengers.

> No. But if German road safty standards find a second hand Japanese car to 
> be unsafe and a Skoda to be safe that says a lot. Actually both are 
> unsafe.

Did you actually research the respective safety laws of the countries
mentioned here, or are you merely going from "what some senior MOT official
told you at a party."? (not a direct quote)

						- k
-- 
Craig Harding            kilroy@acme.gen.nz             ACME BBS +64 6 3551342
"Jub'f Xvob?"
From: ct@dde.dk (Claus Tondering)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: 19 September referendum
Date: 1 Sep 92 07:15:43 GMT
Organization: Dansk Data Elektronik A/S

I may have missed some postings that discussed this subject, in
which case I offer my apologies. However, I have just learned that
on 19 September New Zealand is going to have a referendum on proportional
representation in parliament.

What is the likely outcome of the referendum?
Will parliament be bound by the referendum?
How will proportional representation work in NZ?
If approved, when will proportional representation take effect?

-- 
Claus Tondering
Dansk Data Elektronik A/S, Herlev, Denmark
E-mail: ct@dde.dk
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
From: IJB3JMT@MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU (jeremy taylor)
Subject: testing2
Reply-To: ijb3jmt@mvs.oac.ucla.edu
Date: 28 Aug 92 08:27:20 PDT



---

26TH AUGUST 1992
MY FAMILY AND I ARE VISITING NEW-ZEALAND IN THE SECOND
HALF OF NOVEMBER PRIOR TO THE INTERNATIONAL BIOMETRICS
CONFERENCE IN HAMILTON. WE ARE PLANNING TO TOUR AROUND FOR A COUPLE
OF WEEKS AND ARE TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE TO TRAVEL WITH US
TO HELP LOOK AFTER OUR TWO CHILDREN (AGES 0 AND 4).
WE WERE THINKING IN TERMS OF PERHAPS A TEENAGER WHO HAS
EXPERIENCE WITH BABY SITTING AND WHO LIKES TO TRAVEL.
THE MOST CONVENIENT WOULD BE SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN THE
HAMILTON OR AUCKLAND AREA.
WE WOULD PAY FOR ALL FOOD AND ACCOMADATION FOR THE PERSON
AND WOULD PAY FOR THEIR TIME AT A RATE WHICH COULD BE NEGOTIATED
BUT WOULD BE SOMEWHERE AROUND US$120 PER WEEK.
PLEASE REPLY TO IJB3JMT@UCLAMVS.BITNET
OR IJB3JMT@MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU
OR TO JEREMY TAYLOR
   DEPARTMENT OF BIOSTATISTICS
   UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES,
   LOS ANGELES, CA, 90024, USA
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: Re: 19 September referendum
From: mdh@gaya.gp.co.nz (Martin D. Hunt)
Date: 2 Sep 92 21:35:57 +1200
Organization: Wellington, New Zealand

In article <BtxH4p.Lo4@comp.vuw.ac.nz>, Michael.Norrish@comp.vuw.ac.nz (Michael Norrish) writes:
> I'm interested to hear what people think are the objections to STV as
> a proportional representation system. To my mind, it seems to have two
> advantages over MMP,
>  
> i) all MPs have some local affiliation, and
> ii) the party doesn't have the monopoly on power that is implied by
>     the fact that parties specify party lists.

I agree with that. My difficulty with MMP is the party list system. The 
problem with STV is that it isn't as easy to understand, or vote (having to 
rank the candidates in order). The main things I don't understand is how the 
minimum number of required votes is determined, and how the votes are 
transferred between candidates. Last night's tv programme on the referendum 
said that if a candidate got too many votes, then his/her excess is 
transferred based on the second preference. How do you determine which 
voting papers are the excess votes?

> I'm also curious as to what is supposed to happen if the proportion of
> votes a party gets would indicate that they should have _fewer_ seats
> than they have won in the seat-based half of the parliament. Does the
> party then have to drop people? I admit, the possibility seems a
> remote one, but I'm interested to hear an official answer.

I don't think a party can be asked to drop people, because this would mean 
dropping MPs who are representing a particular electorate.

I would like to have some more information on how the options are likely to 
work in practice, especially MMP and STV, so that I can make an informed 
decision on polling day.

It is all very well to put "vote MMP" in your signatures, but I would like 
to know why I should vote that way.
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin D. Hunt	The opinions expressed above are mine, and mine alone, and
Wellington	do not imply any endorsement by anyone I work for or know.
New Zealand	USEnet at home : martinh@gaya.gp.co.nz
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: Re: Looking for someone
From: Mary.Curtin@bbs.actrix.gen.nz
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 11:37:42 GMT
Organization: Actrix Information Exchange

In article <BtwArq.9z4@comp.vuw.ac.nz> Mark.Penney@comp.vuw.ac.nz (Chopper Boy! ( Mark Penney )) writes:
> 
> In article <1992Sep1.062004.9302@ccu1.aukuni.ac.nz>, graeme@ccu1.aukuni.ac.nz ( Graeme Moffat) writes:
> |> 
> |> There's only Auckland University. (At the moment)
> 
>     Excuse me but there are a few of us who dare to live south of the
>     Bombay <sp?> Hills!  Or did you just forget the smiley?  :-)

> ... the other unversities are: Waikato, Canterbury, Massey and Lincoln.


I thought about flaming this guy for not reading the original posting
(the one asking about universities in Auckland).  

But then I saw the last bit, and thought what the heck, the folks from
Dunedin can do it   :-)

-- 
\   \/   /  |  
 \/\/\/\/   |  mary.curtin@bbs.actrix.gen.nz
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: Re: Info Wanted: Immigration to New Zealand
From: mikem@otago.ac.nz
Date: 26 Aug 92 09:33:23 +1300
Organization: University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

In article <92237.152453RVU@psuvm.psu.edu>, <RVU@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:
> Does anyone know of New Zealand's immigration policy?  How difficult is it,
> and how can one approach?
> G. Rauniyar
> 

Here's a breif run-down on permanent migration to New Zealand:
 
There are four categories for acceptance:
 
1. Business
    - Applicants must demonstrate a minimum level of business skills or 
      expericence.
    - Business migrants are required to bring in at least $500,000 into NZ.
    - Capital must be invested in NZ for at least 2 years.
 
2. Points
    - Applicants are given points for attributes and then ranked.
    - Applicants are assessed on employability, age and settlement factors.
    - Those who score highest will be granted residence.
 
3. Family
    - Marriage
    - Partnerships
    - Immediate family
 
4. Humanitarian/Refugee
    - Refugee Quota
    - Refugee Sataus
    - Humanitarian
 
The target figure of residence approvals is set st 25,000 per annum at the
moment.
 
The points system (General Category) works something like this:
 
EMPLOYABILITY
- Post-grad degree (min. 4 yrs full-time study), or Bachelors Degree in
  science, techicnal or engineering areas (min 3 yrs full-time) : 15 POINTS
- Other Bachelors degrees, trade cert. or adv. trade cert. (min 3 yrs
  full-time) : 12 POINTS
- Diploma or Cert. (2-3 yrs full-time) : 8 POINTS
- Diploma or CERT. (1-2 yrs) : 4 POINTS
- 12 yrs schooling : 2 POINTS
 
WORK EXPERIENCE
One point for every two yrs of approved work experience to a max of 10 points.
ie. sound, continuous and relevant to the qualification for which one is
claiming the points, and must be gained after the qualification.
 
AGE
 18-24 : 8 POINTS
 25-29 : 10 POINTS
 30-34 : 8 POINTS
 35-39 : 6 POINTS
 40-44 : 4 POINTS
 45-49 : 2 POINTS
 
SETTLEMENT FACTORS
A max of 5 points avialable in the section.
- NZ$100,000 to be used as settlement funds : 2 POINTS
- Sponsorship by an immediate family member : 2 POINTS or, sponsorship by an
  established community org. : 3 POINTS.
- 1 point for each $100,000 investment funds transferred to NZ up to a max of 3
  points.
- An offer of skilled employment : 3 POINTS.
 
Sounds as if any score over 20 is good, as these people will be held in a pool
to be drawn from.  Migrants from Europe, and the US or being encouraged to
apply.

-- 
================================================================================
Michael J Moore    : Information Services      :  mikem@otago.ac.nz       O
        o          : Computing Services Centre :                       ~~~~
     --()--        : University of Otago       :                        /##\
    \  /\  /       : Dunedin                   :                       / // \
     \)  (/        : New Zealand               :                     ---/-----' 
      \  /                                                         ---------'
================================================================================
From: Michael.Witbrock@cs.cmu.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: Re: Japanese Imports
Date: 2 Sep 92 09:06:08 GMT
Article-I.D.: cs.cedDG0a00j_H0IO6AK
	<N8gFqB10w165w@sideways.welly.gen.nz>
Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

> Excerpts from netnews.soc.culture.new-zealand: 1-Sep-92 Re: Japanese
> Imports Bill Bennett@sideways.we (1544)


> I don't argue with the economics. It probably does improve the quality 
> and value. It certainly makes sense. Yet, it sends a message to others 
> overseas that this is a third world country. Maybe it doesn't. Who knows?
> What do others think?


I think it shows that NZ is too small to manufacture cars locally
cheaply, and too small and far away to import new ones at reasonable
prices.  If I had the money, I could go out today and buy a brand new
car (in Pittsburgh), a Saturn, for example, for less than $9000 (US). I
believe that's about 30% of the average annual salary (average, not
median). I'm sure that if NZrs in NZ  could get new cars for as little
of their income, they would buy new cars too.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: Re: skiing in new-zealand
From: corich_a@med.wcc.govt.nz (Alison Corich, Wellington, New Zealand)
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 00:44:32 GMT
Reply-To: corich_a@med.wcc.govt.nz
Organization: Wellington City Council, Wgtn, NZ

In article <IebFWYO00hYN0D9kwK@andrew.cmu.edu>, Prithvi Rao <pr11+@andrew.cmu.edu> writes:
>Can someone give me an idea of thedifference in cost of skiing at
>coronet peak and mt. hutt? I am interested in cost of rentals, lift
>tickets etc. Thanks!
>
>_prithvi
QUEENSTOWN SKI AREA
CORONET PEAK: Adult day pass $45 Child $23 
REMARKABLES:, Adult day pass $45 Child $23
Eight day anytime passes $299 available for use at either resort.
(However note that Queenstown is the centre for Australian skiing and the
queues out of school holidays were 40 minutes compared to Wanaka just over the
ranges (1 hour drive) with NO queues, last week.

WANAKA SKI AREA
TREBLE CONE: Adult Day Pass $45 child $20. 5  day anytime $210
CARDRONA:  Adult day pass $45 Child $20    3 day anytime $126

CHIRSTCHURCH SKI AREA
MT HUTT Adult day pass $44 child $22
PORTER HEIGHTS Adult day pass $236 weekend $32 midweek
               Child Under 10 ski free Youth $18

I have only put prices for the 6 bigger ski resorts in the South Island but there is
also excellent skiing at the smaller resorts.. prices are cheaper there.

All the resorts have ski hire, beginner packages including passes and lifts and
you can shop around in the ski hire shops in the towns for the best bargains
(on the mountain tends to be more expensive than off) Price approx $25-30 per
day for ski and boot hire

NORTH ISLAND ON MT RUAPEHU also has excellent skiiing and has the two biggest
ski resorts in the country
WHAKAPAPA: Adult day pass $42 Child $18
TUROA; Adult day pass $42 Child $18 
      
Most the South Island resorts have 1.5 - 2 metre bases and snow still falling
North Island resorts have 3.2 metre base and still falling.

                                  
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
From: rwolken@dcc036.enet.dec.com ()
Subject: Re: Why does spring start so early?
Reply-To: rwolken@dcc036.enet.dec.com ()
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 11:49:25 GMT


|>>Why does spring start on 1 September in N.Z.
|>>while it is still summer in the Northern Hemisphere?
|>>Canterbury snow aside, isn't this a bit jumping
|>>the gun?
|>
|>Well I don't know about Cambridge, Massachusetts, but in Cambridge, England
|>Autumn started on 1st September.  By 3rd Spetember it was distinctly chilly,
|>and the leaves were starting to drop off the trees.  I had to wear my
|>jacket to work yesterday for the first time in months.  Bizarre --- how 
|>does the weather know that September has just started?
|>

Here Here. Here in Munich it was ~30c until 31 August, and about 13c on Sep.1
Its been rotten since then.
From: g9129979@cc.uow.edu.au (chanchani shalin)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Date: 26 Aug 92 07:29:53 GMT
Organization: University Of Wollongong


HI NETTERS,

	HERE IS ONE MORE "REQUEST FOR INFO." !!

	I AM A MCom (ACCOUNTING) FROM AUSTRALIA AND WANT TO PURSUE A 
	PHD PROGRAM IN FINANCE.

	I'D APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD PASS ON EMAIL ADDRESSES OF THE 
	PROGRAM CO-ORDINATOR / CONCERNED PROFESSORS OF DEPARTMENTS OF 
	FINANCE / ACCOUNTING / ECONOMICS / MANAGEMENT.

	ANY OTHER INFORMATION / SUGGESTIONS / ADIVCE / "INSIDE INFORMATION"
	WILL BE WELCOMED AND APPRECIATED.

	THANKS A TON.

	SHALIN.

	EMAIL : g9129979@wampyr.cc.uow.edu.au
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
From: music@reg.triumf.ca (FRED W. BACH)
Subject: Manurewa connection
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: TRIUMF: Tri-University Meson Facility
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 23:15:00 GMT

   I recently heard from some people in Manurewa, (Sth ? Auckland) and
 I am wondering if there is anyone close to this area with internet access
 for them. 


 Fred W. Bach ,    Operations Group        |  Internet: music@erich.triumf.ca
 TRIUMF (TRI-University Meson Facility)    |  Voice:  604-222-1047 loc 278/419
 4004 WESBROOK MALL, UBC CAMPUS            |  FAX:    604-222-1074
 University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., CANADA   V6T 2A3

 These are my opinions, which should ONLY make you read, think, and question.
 They do NOT necessarily reflect the views of my employer or fellow workers.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: Christchurch under snow
From: phys218@csc.canterbury.ac.nz
Date: 1 Sep 92 14:05:26 +1200
Organization: University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

It's still very cold in Christchurch (not helped by the University's
parsimonious heating policy) but no snow has fallen since Saturday.
Apparently more very cold southerlies are forecast for the end of the
week, but with rain rather than snow on the plains.

The snow started last Thursday but during the day it melted as soon as
it fell.  Overnight there were high winds and heavy snowfall, and we
woke on Friday morning to find a the snow still falling, foot of snow on
the ground and electric power lines down everywhere.  There were the
usual exaggerated warnings on the radio about dangerous driving
conditions, but in fact there was no ice on the roads, just powder snow
which turned to wet slush, and driving was easy if you could make out
the edges of the road.  My main problem when I came in the University
was in avoiding the humourists who were skiing along Riccarton Road.

The only real problem in town was the lack of electricity and, if the
power had been reliable, there would have been no problem in carrying on
as usual.  Anyone from the north-eastern U.S. would hardly have noticed
it!  Electric power lines turned into 3-inch diameter ice cylinders with
wire cores, and their weight simply snapped concrete poles.  I heard
Southpower linesmen talking about how much stronger the old hardwood
poles are.

The real disaster is the one that has affected farmers, sheep farmers in
particular.  The snow came right in the middle of early spring lambing
and shearing.  It is estimated that a million to a million and a half
lambs have died, and uncounted adult sheep.  At a value of about $40
per lamb, that represents a loss of $40,000,000 to $60,000,000 from the
provincial economy this year.  Many farmers will lose not only this
year's income, but also the breeding flocks which would have enabled
them to claw their way back next year.  The future of some freezing
works is in doubt.  Dairy farmers suffered the inconvenience of being
unable to run electric milking machines for a day or two (in our case
from Friday morning until Sunday night), but little long term loss.

It sems that this snowfall most affected the Canterbury plains, whereas
the one at the beginning of the month was worst in the foothills.  The
most affected region comprised the plains of Mid Canterbury and North
Canterbury.  Most of South Canterbury got off much more lightly.

Let's see what next weekend brings...

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyndon Watson                              L.Watson@csc.canterbury.ac.nz
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: jrdodd@waikato.ac.nz
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: Re: Somehow *they* always get round to Jews
Date: 28 Aug 92 14:04:01 +1200
Organization: University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

> 
> So, I wonder if other people remember this usage from their primary or
> high schools, and whether it is common now, and whether teachers would
> try to dissuade the kids from saying it, and even whether Derek thinks
> this usage is a contribution to cultural diversity, or an impediment.

	Yeah,  I remember it too.  The best story was when my brother 
picked up some money on the playground,  and upon being called "a Jew",  
he promptly said "That's right,  I am", leaving the name-caller speechless.

	The worst of it is,  that although I was never subjected to this
kind of thing personally,  I was aware of it enough to label myself an
athiest,  thus denying my culture,  which could still be recognised without
being religious.  So now I'm a "non-religious Jew",  and proud to both
recognise  my past yet retain my personal beliefs.  But the initial shame
one could feel for being Jewish was pretty deep at a young age.

	I also know of a few popular theories regarding such denigration
if nayone cares to hear them...

	Jonathan.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: Re: Somehow *they* always get round to Jews
From: Bill Bennett <billy@sideways.welly.gen.nz>
Date: Tue, 01 Sep 92 15:56:51 +1200
Organization: Sideways Bulletin Board, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

jrdodd@waikato.ac.nz writes:

> > 
> > So, I wonder if other people remember this usage from their primary or
> > high schools, and whether it is common now, and whether teachers would
> > try to dissuade the kids from saying it, and even whether Derek thinks
> > this usage is a contribution to cultural diversity, or an impediment.
> 
> 	Yeah,  I remember it too.  The best story was when my brother 
> picked up some money on the playground,  and upon being called "a Jew",  
> he promptly said "That's right,  I am", leaving the name-caller speechless.
> 
 
I'm about 15% Jewish - don't ask for details. But my parents didn't feel 
able to tell me this until I was in my teens. Why? Well, I was brought up 
in the South of England where being a Jew was frowned on unless you 
happened to be incredibly rich or talanted - then everyone would make
patronising noises about what clever folk those jews are.
 
My brother went to a very posh grammer school were it was traditional to 
serve school dinners on the family system. This meant an older boy would 
sit at the head of the table and serve food to the other boys. In school 
jargon the server was known as the Jew. The head dinner prefect was known 
as head jew. The teachers went along with this and even posted jewing 
rosters on notice boards.
 
No wonder my brother came home from school in tears during his first 
weeks.
 
Incidently, the art of *underground* jewing invloved cheating a boy of 
his portion of pie by cutting down at an angle so he got a full share of 
crust but only a minimal share of meat.
 
That was bad enough, but I heard Catholic kids bullying jewish kids 
because they murdered Jesus. I pointed out that he was also a jew and got 
a bloody nose for my pains.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.canada