Posts by Hilary Stace
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There's something warming about those photos. Thanks.
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Iain Duncan Smith, former Tory Party leader and now minister of welfare cuts, interviewed this morning on RNZ. As a typical politician trying to divert the spotlight he finds another party to blame for the UK Murdoch melt-down: the police.
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Speaker: This is your National Library, in reply to Ian Dalziel,
In the current political climate it is very hard for public servants to speak out about anything, even to friends and family - I haven't seen such a repressed public service for a long time and the weapon is a culture of constant restructuring and redundancies. Any criticism of their masters - their ministers and government - is not tolerated. You can see it in how the EQ people won't criticise the government for not giving them enough resources, the mine inspectors won't criticise the government for lack of inspection resources or regulations, the DHBs won't criticise their lack of resourcing but have to go ahead and close services.So the poor old public blames the public servants who are doing their best with constantly reducing resources, and don't join the dots and put the blame higher up. So, I think the rest of us should feel free to criticise the poorly thought out policy that saw the National Library and Archives NZ forced to amalgamate with DIA, as the librarians and archivists cannot.
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Fascinating piece of trivia (well I think so). It's re eye of newt which was mentioned a few pages back, and has been long linked with witches' potions. In the latest New Scientist (16 July p 15) is a report that scientists have found that newts have the remarkable ability to regenerate the lenses in their eyes, often several times over their lifetime. Probably clever DNA repair, and something humans can only envy. So those witches were onto something.
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Speaker: This is your National Library, in reply to Simon Lyall,
Simon - some suggestions
-John Martin is the parliamentary historian and if anyone knows where MP photos are, he probably does (and there are many historical ones adorning parliamentary walls).
-Before the shift out of the building I used the uncatalogued Evening Post photo collection quite a lot, but I'm not sure whether it is currently accessible. Lots of MP pictures in them and because EP no longer exists many are out of copyright, (unless photographer named, but staff have lists of copyright holder addresses).
-There are many great photographer collections in the Turnbull such as that of SP Andrew who photographed many MPs in the first part of the century.
-Don't forget the Cartoon Archive collection. Politicians are a popular subject.
Only a fraction of the Turnbull collection is yet digitised, so, as Gordon says, ask a librarian. -
A long time right-wing Telegraph journalist now questions his own ideological assumptions, and wouldn't it be great if this started happening in NZ too.
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By the way great piece on the art of corporate political lobbying in NZ on the Nation just now (TV3). Even Matthew Hooten looked uncomfortable when challenged by the young investigative journalist. Hopefully, the overseas experience will now enable such exposure here.
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On Back Benches last night, Trevor Mallard mentioned Labour's new procurement policy. I didn't realise it was almost an official policy announcement. Now here is a policy I really approve of, as, for example, it would keep the railways workshops open and expanding, rather than closing . Needs a catchier name, though.
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Another press release about lack of funding for autism services from Grant Robertson. Political interest increasing, and I think it is largely due to the public interest in Arie's case.
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Another staunch MP
18 July 2011
Autism support must be recognised as a frontline service
The failure of the Government to adequately fund Autism New Zealand nationally will hurt those with autism and their families, Green Party disability spokesperson Catherine Delahunty said today.
Lack of regional funding for Autism New Zealand's Waikato branch has led to six paid staff losing their jobs and left hundreds of families without support.
“Autism New Zealand is a frontline provider of a vital service,” said Ms Delahunty.
“The Government needs to step in and fund regional services and better support the national work of Autism New Zealand.
“Without urgent assistance more regional support services of those with autism will be forced to close.”
Ms Delahunty pointed out that Autism New Zealand was the expert support group and advocate for many children, young people and older citizens whose experience is poorly understood and whose rights need protection.
“Cuts to this service will mean more stress for families, particularly those on middle to lower incomes already feeling the pinch from Government cutbacks,” said Ms Delahunty.
“People with autism can be very positive contributors to our social and economic life with the right support.
“This Government should be upholding the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and providing those in need with this support.”