Paula Bennett's latest announcement re overseas trips for bennefiicaries--an attack or fair!

Paula Bennett is not a Cabinet Minister who holds back re her opinions, in any form. As Minister in charge of ‘benefits,’ she has been seen as either a ‘basher’ or as someone who says what many NZers think---that some on the ‘benefit’ are ripping off the system. Take her latest announcement—the one where she has said that 21,000 beneficiaries have had their payments cuts when they travelled overseas. Her argument is that if you are on a benefit, how can you afford to travel overseas? One could find some merit in this statement, but it is lacking in finesse. There may well be situations whereby families need to travel overseas and that they have paid for their trips, by having other friends and family putting their hands in ‘their’ pockets. I am talking about urgent trips, like for funerals and other family related affairs. I am also talking about those who travel to places further afield in order to improve their lot, like jobseekers. I am not talking about someone who manages to save enough money from a benefit and then travels for leisure. Hell, most of us can’t do that and it is my belief that the benefit does not cover such activities. Of course, I am not talking about those senior citizens who have squirrelled away the money to take such a trip. Let’s leave the ‘oldies’ out of this discussion.

I can just hear many hard-working Kiwis, who barely manager to pay the rent/mortgage and other family bills, throwing up their hands in exasperation, when they hear people, maybe their neighbours, gallivanting around, at the expense of their hard earned money and taxes.

It is just that MS Bennett’s announcement lacks sensitivity and as usual, paints one picture with one brush. It is not always as simple as you portray, Ms Bennett!  But---yes, the question does need to be asked.

It happens, even in the 'better-off' areas of our towns and cities!

'P'-- the modern day scourge, rears its ugly head in Epsom---and many other suburbs in our cities. If you suspect these criminals are operating in your town/city or anywhere else, call the police! Read my take on what happens when a family member decides to enter into the world of 'P.' Download my book, ROSKILL from  www.authorneilcoleman.com  The new edition will be available in the next week.

Epsom property raided by armed police

By Brendan Manning

9:31 AM Friday Apr 4, 2014

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Photo / Chris Lee

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An Epsom property believed to house a clandestine methamphetamine lab has been raided by armed police this morning.
Auckland City Police communications manager Noreen Hegarty said a search warrant at the Manukau Rd property was executed just after 5.30am.
It's believed there was a clandestine methamphetamine lab at the property, she said.
"A preliminary examination has located chemicals and components of a lab and a scene examination is continuing."
Three people had been spoken to at the address, however there had yet to be any confirmed arrests.
No children were at the address, Ms Hegarty said.
Manukau Rd between Greenfield Rd and Pah Rd were closed by police while the warrant was executed.
They would be closed until the area was deemed safe, Ms Hegarty said.
Fire service and ambulance staff were also at the scene.

- APNZ

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New Zealand, 'the most socially advanced country in the world'---acording to a Washington think-tank.

Before Kiwis get all flustered and bubbly with pride, they need to step back and take a big breath. The survey mentioned in the header looked a wide range of issues and on some NZ did not look quite so good, and just like any survey, the take can be variable and not always based on consistent raw figures. Different countries use varying methods to record the ‘data,’ ad that can cause quite different interpretations. GI and read the full report, by clicking on the article in the NZ Herald for Friday the 4^th of April.

However, NZ can take some pride in the figures that paint us in such glowing terms and at the same time, keep the pressure on whoever is governing us to fight for further gains, especially re social policy and in the ‘green area’ of the report. NZ makes much of its 100% pure campaign and we have all seen where that has led over a few recent issues, re milk and the water quality of our rivers and lakes. Still, if one looks at the bigger world picture, we do shine.

We should take little pride in some of the terrible figures for the health of some sectors of our population. Rake the high number of Maori and Pacifica children who suffer from Rheumatic Fever, a disease more apparent in Third World countries. That the Government and health authorities are tackling it head –on now, with a massive programme is fine, but the damage for several generations is with us for a long time. The disease is directly the result of poverty and the gap between rich and poor in our nation.

One could find other aspects to this report that take the gloss off the original claims, but overall, it means that we are ahead of the bunch in many respects and for that, I am very glad I live in my wonderful country. Let’s build on what we have achieved, making sure we don’t whittle away our position and keep improving that which needs addressing. A country can never sit on its laurels, real, or imagined. Politics will focus on this report and the general election in September will become a relevant hunting ground to keep the issues in the report well and truly in the public’s eye. That is how it should be.