Earthquake Memorial Day
March 8th, 2011 at 7:00 am by David FarrarNZPA report:
Tens of thousands are expected at a national memorial service next Friday to mark the “terrible loss of life” in the Christchurch earthquake, with Cantabrians to get the day off to attend.
Prime Minister John Key this afternoon announced the service would be held at North Hagley Park in Christchurch on March 18. …
The Government would introduce legislation to make the date a one-off provincial public holiday in Canterbury so local people could attend if they wished.
Mr Key said Cabinet had considered a nationwide public holiday, but decided a provincial holiday better reflected what was needed.
I think a nationwide public holiday would have been un-necessary, even though many NZers will want to watch the service, they’ll do so in their workplaces. I like having it as a holiday in Canterbury though.
Labour leader Phil Goff said he had spoken with Mr Key about the proposed memorial service.
“I believe it’s totally appropriate to have a commemoration of the very large number of people who have lost their lives. This is an awful event and it’s one that we must treat with respect and we must acknowledge,” Mr Goff said.
“I’m not persuaded, however, that a day’s holiday is the best way of doing that.
“I’ve talked to people in Christchurch and they’ve said ‘we’ve got a huge job ahead of us, we’ll be flat out, how’s it going to help us if the rest of the country’s having a day off?’ and I think that that is right.”
The hypocrisy is staggering. First of all Goff is wrong – the rest of the country isn’t having a day off. Only people in Canterbury.
But it is the Labour Party that has been demanding for some months that the Government urgently amend the Holidays Act so people get an extra two day’s holiday this year because Waitangi Day is on a weekend and we have the 1 in 90 year occurence (next happens in 2095) of Easter Monday falling on ANZAC Day.
So Labour after spending months demanding two extra days holiday for the entire country this year, now are against having a provincial holiday to mourn our biggest ever natural disaster.
Do they even think about the word consistency?
Related posts:
- The earthquake recovery tsar
- Armstrong on the politics of the earthquake
- Think if the earthquake was in 2011?
- Exploiting the earthquake
March 8th, 2011 at 7:15 am
I just love Mr Goff being a Flutterby. He is the best man for his current job. Long may it continue. He makes me very happy.
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 7:34 am
Do they even think about the word consistency?
Goff is being consistent, he seems to be stuck in a “must diss the government” mode. Consistent opposition.
Vote:The problem with this is that an opposition habit makes a habit of being in opposition. Voters want leaders.
March 8th, 2011 at 7:42 am
Just what Canterbury needs, a mandatory reduction in business productivity.
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 8:03 am
Consistewhat?
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 8:37 am
Goff must have the worst memory this side of an dementia ward. Time after time he trumpets something & argues against it a fortnight later. He seems to go through life with one oar in the water.
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 8:56 am
Goff is 100% right, it’s a b/s plan. We don’t need a mandatory day off here in CHCH we need to get things moving again. We need to get businesses open, we need to get schools open, we need to get power, water and sewerage working for everyone.
And DPF this has got nothing to do with ‘Mondayising’ ANZAC and Waitangi day.
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 9:08 am
DPF, where in the above story is Goff saying he is against a provincial holiday, as you claim?
[DPF: He's attacking the Government's announcement and that is what the Government announced]
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 9:15 am
What happens for people that have to work through the day, is it treated the same as other public holidays? We already have our work cut out for us keeping our business running at a level that enables us to pay the wages and temporary accommodations and new equipment lease costs we have. Now do we have to allow for a day in lieu for those that have to work through this day or do we just shut up shop for a day?
Vote:Not what we need, it’s too soon.
March 8th, 2011 at 9:25 am
Dave is right, we need a link to Goff’s comments as I believe they were made when the idea of a national holiday was floated. Personally I don’t see how a day off helps Canterbury – they have heaps to do and I doubt anyone will just want to sick back and do nothing.
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 9:26 am
“And DPF this has got nothing to do with ‘Mondayising’ ANZAC and Waitangi day.” Because those are two holidays in perpetuity and they don’t effect productivity because they’re on the socialist agenda whereas a one off holiday does… wow, amazing rationale.
Pay no attention the reality behind the bullshit! You have to wonder if these trolls even believe their own crap some days. But then if they’re Goff supporters they can;t really be all that bright anyway.
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 9:31 am
Murray- you actually got something constructive to add? Because you’re the one doing the trolling here.
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 9:36 am
I know a cat named Murray. Nice enough but doesn’t do much.
)
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 9:40 am
yeswedid – i thought murray made a good point.
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 9:44 am
So this slice of eat shit and die pie is yours yesman.
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 9:49 am
More reactionism from Goff. If the Govt had announced there would be NO regional holiday, Goff would be the first to complain there should be one.
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 10:08 am
DPF – Did Goff make his comment before or after the Government announced that there would be a provincial holiday but not a public holiday? If after, he is an idiot. If before, you are being mischievous. The PM raised (or at least did not rule out) the possibility of a public holiday before Cabinet.
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 11:16 am
Twerp – and long may he reign.
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
DPF:
Are you sure you’re reading that right….? If Phil Goff said:
It sounds to me like he is saying that a national day off is not necessary, not that the provincial day off isn’t necessary…
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
I do not think a national holiday is required or in the interests of Canterbury or the country to be honest. We already have more days off work than we can cope with.
Vote:March 8th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
I think Goff knew that the government had not made in a national holiday. It is criticizing those who say it should be a national holiday, rather than the government.
Vote:March 9th, 2011 at 9:18 pm
Farrar, your capacity to twist other people’s words is the only impressive thing about you.
Vote: