A16 NEWS Saturday, April 5, 2014 THE PRESS, Christchurch Another treat-free Budget o’’ can be an easy will help make the Government him exactly the answer he wants. the cost of the Christchurch answer to give when Hamish ‘‘part of the problem’’ by driving With the Government spending rebuild. It is not as if Labour is everyone agrees it is the up interest rates. roughly $1.4b a week keeping likely to propose a major only one available. Rutherford Key offered voters a question to various branches of the state programme of spending cuts if it ‘NBill English has created a keep in mind. ‘‘If a political party operating, the prime minister is wins the election. Still, Parker’s reputation as an immovable object tells you they are going to spend a telling us that spending only a few questions are not without merit. come Budget season, with little or POLITICS lot of money, ask them how much million more will be the tipping Government spending is up no ‘‘new’’ money to distribute, it is going to cost your mortgage.’’ point between restraint and substantially under National with only cuts from some areas Already it appears that interest Government-induced inflation, because as much as National creating space for health and Crown will post a surplus so small rates could rise a full percentage ripping cash from families. claimed measures such as working education. that it is of only symbolic point by the end of the year, yet Labour, for its part, appears to for families and interest-free Between earthquakes, significance. Key is making a naked attempt to be buying into the same argument, student loans were middle-class worldwide economic malaise and Thereafter the gains quickly convince voters it would be worse promising to repay debt with welfare, they have done nothing to policies he inherited, none of the become material. Going on what under Labour and the Greens. similar haste to National, and roll them back. blame appeared to be falling at the Treasury said in its last major If that proves successful, the hinting that while it will seek to The idea that it will be the next feet of English, and the electorate update in December, the following Left will be painted into a corner gather more revenue by way of dollar of spending which will voted for another dose of the same three years will see a combined where every spending initiative tax, it would be less than 1 per cent make the difference to interest restrained medicine. surplus of $10 billion. from now until September 20 will more. rates could be a savvy way of Interest rates sat at record lows, After years of English be seen as irresponsible. Since Key’s speech, Labour turning a negative into a positive. and even though they were low promising that restraint now will Treasury also warned that finance spokesman David Parker If the strategy fails, it could across the Western world, some- lead to greater ‘‘options’’ later, there was a need to get the has attempted to portray National prove damaging. After six years of how National deserved credit. there would appear to be a broader national debt – expected to peak at as the tax-and-spend government, restraint, while now being told the This year the economic outlook range of options today than three $65b – under control. citing the surge in spending and economy is the envy of nations, is markedly different but based on years ago. But National has spent While many voters will see this debt since Key took office. National is offering nothing new. Key’s pre-Budget speech this week, much of this week presenting this as a concern, it is likely to be so Parker’s figures are By effectively telling us that it the song will remain largely the as a mirage. large as to be incomprehensible, mischievous on several fronts, would be cavalier for the finance same – there will be no marked Six weeks out from the Budget, especially compared with their blaming National for the final minister to allow new spending, increase in spending. Key played a card likely to frame monthly household expenses. Budget of the last Labour National might find itself in The books English will release the debate for the coming election: Hence the focus on interest rates. government. To suggest that the trouble if voters choose to believe on May 15, for the year to June that any kind of Budget lolly Yet the situation smacks of Key entire debt pile is National’s fault Labour can offer something 2015, are expected to predict the scramble, now or in the future, asking a question designed to give is, by implication, blaming it for different. From rugby-mad to mad at rugby idday Steve, long time, no see. Duncan G I’m writing to tell you I’m Garner really bored with Super Rugby this year. It’s putting me to sleep, mate. Seriously, I’ve fallen asleep on the COMMENT couch twice this year watching it live on the telly. I’m usually at the games – but Stadium in Christchurch, so that’s yeah, nah – can’t be bothered these not too hard – but in Wellington days. It’s tedious, bloody dull and I who will show up now, given the reckon it’s hugely over-rated now. Canes are effectively out of the You know me – I’m a rugby man play-offs already? and I love the game. My dad had Here’s the other thing: I read season passes at Eden Park for 20 some stats this week that show the years. It was the only religion ball is now in play for just 30 practised in our home. minutes a game – five years ago it For the 17 years I spent in was 35 minutes. Wellington I rarely missed a game The game is slow, and the at the stadium or Athletic Park. constant re-setting of scrums is But I’ve got to say, Steve, I’m killing the spectacle. If I watch over it. now I use MySky to speed the For a start, the big-name game up and get it over with. players aren’t always on the field. Clearly I’m not the only fan who Fans have lost faith. We don’t feels this way. know who will turn out – I Just 8066 turned up for the personally refuse to fork out big Hurricanes-Brumbies match on money to see development players March 7 and 7666 for the Cheetahs – we want the real deal. the week after that. You could play Dan Carter is on some celebrity the games at Newtown Park, it ‘‘selfie’’ tour overseas so he can would save you money. make the next World Cup and as a Westpac Stadium is too big for result the Crusaders look awful. Super 15 now. A distinctly average Richie McCaw is out injured. Phoenix side lured 9431 fans to the For the Blues, Jerome Kaino and stadium earlier this year. How Ma’a Nonu just got back last have we gone from rugby-mad to weekend and Keven Mealamu is mad at rugby so quickly? literally on his last leg. Even last week at Eden Park In Hurricanes territory one of just 16,000 fans showed up for the the game’s most exciting Blues-Highlanders local derby. prospects, Ardie Savea, is being There were 34,000 empty seats. played from the bench (why?) and That wouldn’t have happened 10 Cory Jane says he’s good to go but years ago. Guess how many hasn’t been selected lately. showed up for the Warriors-Wests Is he being punished for the Tigers clash last weekend in dopey sleeping pill incident? Wellington? About 22,000. Israel Dagg comes alive about Rugby needs a rethink. The August and only in a black jersey. excitement has gone: the sense of If he doesn’t take Super Rugby drama, the big name players – it’s seriously why should we? limp and the glory days of the So it’s all pretty ugly, Steve. Super 15 feel like a long time ago. While I realise you don’t select The NZRU is reaping the cash Super Rugby teams I reckon you because the All Blacks play too should be worried. many tests – and cash-in with non- Sure there are still pockets of event games against Japan. fans but there’s not much else to do Don’t get me wrong – I love the in Hamilton is there? All Blacks. But I used to love the It only takes 18,000 to fill AMI Super 15, too. Check your smoke alarms this Daylight Saving. Is Your Daily Life Constantly Interrupted? Do You Have These Symptoms: • urinary urgency (a strong and sudden desire to urinate) • frequent urinations day and night • urge incontinence (accidental loss of urine caused by a sudden On April 6th, check your smoke alarms are and unstoppable urge to urinate). working when you change your clocks. You may be eligible to participate in a medical research study to test a new investigational medicine for the treatment of overactive bladder. Smoke alarms save lives. fire.org.nz If you are male or female and aged over 18 years and would like to find out more about this study, please contact: The New Zealand Fire Service recommends long-life photoelectric smoke alarms. Canterbury Urology Research Trust Telephone: (03) 355 2426 Email: [email protected] 6012077AA www.medicaltrials.co.nz.