A good turnout in Tauranga
May 4th, 2008 at 9:14 pm by David FarrarTV3 had an item last night on the successful march of over five hundred people in Tauranga against the Electoral Finance Act, organised by John Boscawen.
I saw the item at the time, and thought it bodes badly for Winston Peters. It was a fairly elderly group of people – probably many former NZ First voters. And one of the speakers, Ralph Maxwell, is not just a former Labour Cabinet Minister but was last year on the Tauranga Executive of NZ First.
Supporters of the Electoral Finance Act claimed it would fade as an issue once it was passed. On the contrary, it has had literally scores and scores of negative stories about it over the last few months, and there is no reason to think this will change before the election.
Related posts:
- Tauranga anti EFA protest march tomorrow
- NZ First Tauranga says Kill the Bill
- Winston confirms candidacy for Tauranga
- Peters rules out Tauranga
May 4th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Damn – where’s PhillipJohn/Roger Nome when you need him?
Over 500 people – what do you say Bananas in PJs?
Vote:May 4th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
The successful march of over five hundred people in Tauranga? Damn – where’s PhillipJohn/Roger Nome when you need him?
Of course, Labour’s too busy making submissions to the Electoral Commission (for a weighty slice of the taxpayer-funded broadcasting pie) to notice.
Vote:May 4th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Test – two comments swallowed up already…
Vote:May 4th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
[Ah stuff it - I'll remove all hyperlinks]
The successful march of over five hundred people in Tauranga? Damn – where’s PhillipJohn/Roger Nome when you need him?
Of course, Labour’s too busy making submissions to the Electoral Commission (for a weighty slice of the taxpayer-funded broadcasting pie) to notice.
Vote:May 4th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Ralph Maxwell, is not just a former Labour Cabinet Minister
I don’t think he was ever in Cabinet at all.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 1:20 am
Yes, DPF, aren’t you (and to be fair, almost all the MSM, who supposedly pay people to get it right) confusing him with Roger Maxwell?
AFAIK Ralph Maxwell was never in Cabinet, and Wikipedia also omits him from the list.
(Yes, I know I’m beginning to sound like roger nome, but one of the interesting things my trawl through the archives threw up is that whereas executive.govt.nz used to keep a comprehensive archive of former Ministers from all parties, since Labour moved it to beehive.govt.nz all reference to anyone but themselves has been neatly erased from history).
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 6:20 am
The Hon. Ralph Maxwell was a minister outside of cabinet in the Lange government. He also served on the Electoral Select Committee for three years duirng his time in parliament. His speech focused on the lack of bi-partisan support for the EFA. Something that would never have happened in his time.
He also moved a notice of motion calling on the Prime Minister to repeal the Electoral Finance Act. It was passed unaminously. I will write to the PM today regarding it.
I think I will also make it the basis for a nationwide petition calling for the repeal of the Act.
The Herald also makes a brief mention of the march on page 3 of today’s edition also.
The March was an outstanding success. I thought there would have been between 600 and 800. The BOP Times reporter thought there was close to a 1000 from the various angles of her photographs. This was by far the largest protest in Tauranga for years, and no one I spoke to could remember anytihng bigger since the Springbok tour protests over 20 years ago.
I look forward to continuing with the these provincial protests.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 6:41 am
MORE power to you John, (great effort)
Vote:great name, mine (gods greatest gift)
keep fighting the fight ,mate numbers dont matter , PS how many were at the liarbours gathering praising New Zealand becoming a province of communist china ,havent seen any communist red flag waving NEW ZEALANDERS only a lot of visitor commie chinese (students)??????? the 5th collumn. who knows
May 5th, 2008 at 7:24 am
boy John, are you in for a slagging off today. Just wait till some of your enemies have had their morning toast and settle down to destroy what you are doing. And who could possibly blame any right-minded citizen for hurling insults at a body of concerned citizens who are protesting for what they see as ademocratic principle? Shame on you all!
Just a heads up;
They will suggest you are too rich, too old, too white, too Christian, too manipulative, too biased, too anti-Labour, too deluded and/all too reactionary to have an opinion. Having suggested one or more of the above, they will then insult anyone who agrees with you. Then they cite the Exclusive Brethren as a jsutification for the above, and suggest that only a ‘rich prick’ would want to buy elections like they used to when Labour won three times in a row.
Congratulations to you and your buddies, and long may you continue, all the same.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 7:40 am
ps just asking, that’s all…
Vote:“At least one placard was visible in the television coverage: It read ‘Labour – you have gone too far’.
Now does this represent a form of media designed to induce a person to vote, or not vote for Labour, or by implication to vote or not to vote for another party?
Surely under the EFA this kind of thing is illegal.
Ergo – to protest against the EFA in this manner was an illegal act, and everyone involved may be liable to have criminal proceedings pressed against them by the Electoral Commission.
The Government should be telling the EC to get their act together NOW! Where is Annette King and her erstwile Police Force when it is needed?”
Lee – (Monkey With Typewriter)
May 5th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Lee, regarding the placcard that read “Labour you have gone too far”. ….that was not authorised by me. All the placcrds my team and I organised focused solely on the issue of freedom of speech and the repeal of the Electoral Finance Act. We are not trying to get people to vote or not to vote for any one party or candidate. I am campaigning for the repeal of the Act. None of the advertisements I placed in the media were designed to encourage or persuade people how to vote in the forthcoming election. I am optimistic the Act will either be repealed ( or substanially amended) before we even get to the election.
The Freedom of Speech Trust which I established to campaign against the EFA is running an “issue based” campaign which the law allows. We have not registered as a third party and are being very careful not to breach the law. Nevertheless I beleive in a democracy individuals and groups should be free to be involved in the electoral process by seeking to influence the outcome of the election, (but that is not what I an doing)
Incidentally there were a number of people carrying signs with the new “Kiwi Party” logo on. I did not authorise those. One lady who worked for a government department was concerned that there were political party signs there at a apolitical protest and rally, but I explained to her that in a protest campaignijng for freedom of speech I could hardly stop people carrying any sign.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 8:04 am
John B … well done. Many talk the talk rather then walk the walk. You’re doing the hard yards and you deserve our thanks. Re Ralph Maxwell, it probably matters not in the great scheme of things but I think he was a Parliamentary Under Secretary rather than a Minister outside of Cabinet – they were effectively a third tier minister, not in cabinet, not an ‘Hon’ but bound by cabinet collective responsibility – think they died off with the event of MMP (I can remember Warren Kyd as a PUS 1993-1996).
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 8:16 am
“…but one of the interesting things my trawl through the archives threw up is that whereas executive.govt.nz used to keep a comprehensive archive of former Ministers from all parties, since Labour moved it to beehive.govt.nz all reference to anyone but themselves has been neatly erased from history.)”
Seems the Labour party signed up for more than just a FTA with China. It is interesting that labour rail against American style politics by trying to “remove” big money from campaigning. Yet they are generating one of the greatest “americanisms” in politics that I saw in my journeys in the states – PARTISAN politics. Over there you are republican or democrat and never the twain shall meet. We are starting to see the same thing here – something I have not seen in general here before.
Or maybe I just mix in the wrong circles.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 8:24 am
John, Given the amount you spent how many dollars is that per marcher?
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Is it the amount, or the principle of spending cash to persuade people that you object to, sonic? Something to think about next time ‘kiwisaver’ is beamed onto your television, or the EPMU insist they are a third party under the EFA, isn’t it?
How about it, John, why not show sonic the respect he deserves as a right-thinking citizen, and in the interests of transparency, give us a ball-park figure of how much you rally cost you?
Vote:Thnx
May 5th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Given how much labour has spent on hosting so called “independant” blogs and bloggers whats the dollar/word cost to the tax payer of their bullshit trolling comments chronic?
And how much per word are you costing your recuitment agency employer to talk shit Frank?
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 9:38 am
I see Murray is trying the old “I’ll tell your boss on you” gambit.
Go for it Murray, make that call.
Just asking becuase you guys always dismiss left-wing marchers as “rent a mob” I’m just interested in how much John paid out for his demo.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Sonic you are an inspiration to your commie mates
Vote:Know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:46 am
You are rent a mob dress boy. Being busted as hosted by the labour party is a honking big clue in that direction.
If I was going to tell your boss that you spend all day flushing his money trolling I would have done it long ago. If hes stupid enough to employ you he deserves it, just like people who are silly enough to vote for Winston Peters deserve him.
Answer the question. How much money. I’m on my dime here as is David. Just asking because you’re a tiny group of reality deprived idiots who seem to like the karma thrashing you get on a daily basis to lick helens shoes publicly but do it other peoples expense. On the up side conversation around here is virtually rational come 4.30 on a Friday. But then monday rolls around again and here you are.
A damning picture of opur mental health system it paints too.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 10:04 am
“Being busted as hosted by the labour party”
Sorry what are you talking about? my blog is hosted by Blogger (not part of the NZ Labour partt iirc)
Oh and you dont think I’d really be dumb enough to leave a comment on your train-wreck of a blog with my real employers ip do you?
We are not all as thick as you Murray.
Anyway, still awaiting for an answer from Mr Boscawen, and waiting…
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 10:20 am
No one mentioned your sad little rag numb nuts, I was addressing the issue of your tiny group of mental defectives who are professional trolls.
Ask Tane.
And still no answer to the question.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 10:32 am
sonic have you been posting nasty things on my blog?
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Poor Murray
“You are rent a mob dress boy. Being busted as hosted by the labour party ”
“No one mentioned you”
I dont know if you have ever noticed Murray but I’m not Tane, any more than you are David Farrar.
Anyway leaving aside the annoying whine of Murray and his semi-comic/semi-disturbing interludes. No word yet from Mr Boscowen.
How odd?
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Yet EVERYONE has noticed that you are one of a tiny number of like minded denial merchants who always defend the socialist goverment regardless and will attack ad nauseum EVERYTHING that comes from those not of your line.
The sad little cry about my catapults is a good example. I’ll be giving a talk on them this weekend at the invitation of the museum by the way. You’ll be up the the domain on a soapbox telling how great Dear Leader is no doubt.
No reply yet from chronic about how much he is costing his employer. How completely expected.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 10:56 am
“The sad little cry about my catapults is a good example”
When did I mention that? you really are as mad as a hatter!
“will attack ad nauseum EVERYTHING that comes from those not of your line.”
harsh words coming from such a non-partisan, open minded, youngish chap like you Murray.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 10:58 am
sonic – what kind of employer pays you to attack people on the Internet?
Vote:To quote Miss Clark are you a “professional agitator”?
May 5th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I’m partisan, not full of shit. Theres a difference. You’re it.
Still no answer.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 11:19 am
“I’m partisan, not full of shit”
I’ll leave it to the readers of his thread to judge just how laughable that statement is!
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Get back to work sonic !
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 11:33 am
“I’ll leave it to the readers of his thread”
Who are you to be leaving anything to anybody? Arrogant little commie turd. Should never have been let thru the immigration turnstyle.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 11:35 am
And look the last of the three stooges has slithered in!
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 11:41 am
At least we were born here sonic.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Wonderful, we now live in a country where freedom of speech is an election issue.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I have only logged back in since this morning.
I find it fascinating the comments focusing on money. You want to put a dollar figure on freedon of speech?
In all the ads I ran last year I was very open, very transparent, probably far too much so. I was criticised for saying how much the campaign had cost me at each stage.
As for the cost of organsing the cost of the Tauranga protest? A tiny fraction of what was spent last year. Many people put a big effort into Saturday’s protest. It was the biggest most could remember. The largest since the 1981 Springbok tour. No one normally protests in Tauranga. That’s why it is probably such big news in tonight’s paper ( most of page three). The BOP Times reported a figure of of 1000 in tonight’s edition. They should know. They took the photos.
I thought it was an outstanding success. Most people in town will know someone who went. Many more people in the BOP will know something more about the EFA than they did this time last week, thanks to the extensive local media coverage.
I have already been rung by two separate journalists wanting to know if their city will be next. I will be announcing this shortly.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
A long answer that totally failed to answer the question John.
How much per marcher?
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Yes, John, please, for sonic’s sake, will you please put a price on the freedom to march in the streets and express a political opinion? He’s been asking all day, one day he might want to do a similar thing, if it isn’t too expensive, or too illegal.’
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Just using my freedom of speech Lee, got a problem with that?
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Sonic,
“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”
Albert Einstein
stupid question, doesn’t warrant an answer.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
The fact Mr Boscome is dodging the question is all the answer I need 1984.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Comrade Sonic
Mr Boscawan is a man of dignity and from what I have read here a very polite man, I on other hand am not so I would like to ask you why it is that you insist on being abusive and rude to anybody who stands against this corrupt govt.
You often demand answers of people like Mr Boscawan yet you totally refuse to answer anything put to you, I can only assume that this is because you are a member of the totally corrupt ruling class and you are living in fear of the impending change in govt.
Either that or you are just simply a fuckwit.
BTW…Can you prove that your blog is not funded by the Labour party or more correctly, tax payers?
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I’ve been nothing but polite to Mr Boscome Matey boy, as I am to everyone who does not abuse and insult me.
He had one of the best marches money could buy!
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Oh and PS
“Can you prove that your blog is not funded by the Labour party or more correctly, tax payers?”
Could give me one good reason that anyone is the NZ Labour party would fund a blog about American politics, that is hosted by a free host and has writers from Japan, Australia and New York?
Of course you cannot, just another smear.
Not a good day for you guys is it, I think I’ll leave you to stew.
xxx
S
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
You would know a bit about what money could buy I guess, how much does it cost to buy the silence of the police commissioner?
How much does it cost to silence the San Fransisco police?
How much does it cost to buy a gong?….oh hang on, I guess I could ask Owen Glen that question.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Any readers Sonic??
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Sonic
“Could give me one good reason that anyone is the NZ Labour party would fund a blog about American politics”
1.Because the Labour party is corrupt.
2.Because the left wing of the Labour party despise the yanks.
You should really provide proof instead of running away.
I am also concerned that you should see the economic sabotage of NZ as a great day for the left, again it just proves that wankers like you have no real concern for the so called poor in this country, you use them as pawns to get yourself elected then spend the next three years looking after your mates and doing nothing for those who voted you in.
Vote:The worst thing about this is that the same dumb fucks will vote for you again next time around.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
DARN helen davis is paying plebes double time to post ,sonic, a space in nothing (Sonic) boom then nothing,then HOT AIR ,time to change your sign in name sonic,1358 posts does DUH spring to mind , sonics times has passed old hat,UM ps do you own a commie chinese,flag,HELL helens NEWEST BEST FRIENDS your job takers( BELIEVE ME)???Her commie chinese friends running riot in dorkland i felt ashamed for our countries dignity , sonic YOU ARE PART OF OUR COUNTRIES MORAL AND NATIONAL DECAY, tossiers like you and the traitorious left make me sick, no more ashamed, fuck lets sign a peace and harmony treaty with the murdering red chinese and let blue track suit peoples liberation army troops in, , traitor, SONIC , not a patriot ,but a lackey to (WHO)??????
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
“He’s been asking all day”
Becoming his modus operandi. Ask a completely disconnected unintelligible question, or for personal information he has no right to anyway, and then he whines on and on because nobody either cares enough or even wants to answer the stupid little prick.
The you have the other weak minded know nothing Nome, whose like modus operandi is to state that ‘this is what I think, and I’m right because here is a url that proves it’, when, if anyone ever cares enough to click on his damn links, they usually find out that they are completely unsupportive of his original point.
Never any real input from either. Just time wasting band width wasting ignoramuses. Not worth John Boscawen’s spit.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
No they’re not ignoramuses they’re ignoranuses, stupid and assholes.
Vote:May 5th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
HER HER, redbaiter, goodnight GOOD POST
Vote: