FROM THE ARCHIVES
Every week the South Waikato News delves into its archives to see what was making the news 10, 25 and 50 years ago. This week we found stories on former Prime Minister Helen Clark’s visit to town, five programmes run by the Tokoroa Works Skills Trust in d
10 years ago Full house hears Prime Minister’s
answers July 24, 2002 The Tokoroa St John Ambulance Hall was packed last Thursday with eligible electors all waiting to hear what Prime Minister Helen Clark and her Labour Party had to say to the South Waikato.
A wide range of people from first time voters to the more experienced voters attended the public meeting asking questions regarding such issues as employment, the Kinleith redundancies, veteran’s health and welfare.
One question asked was, ‘‘ You gave the West Coast $100 million (when they were in a similar situation to us), when are you going to give that to the South Waikato?’’
Miss Clark said although Labour would not be giving the district that sort of money, it would continue to work with the community to create more opportunities.’’
‘‘I think the people of the South Waikato will come up with favourable strategies.
‘‘There is no miracle answer and we are not going to pretend there is one.’’
Miss Clark’s response to, ‘‘ why does the government continue to support people on the DPB that keep getting into that situation?’’ brought great applause from the audience.
She replied, ‘‘ What drives us to keep funding a person in that situation is that it’s about not penalising the kids.’’ 25 years ago TWST awaits
world July 9, 1987 The future of five programmes run by the Tokoroa Works Skills Trust may be in the balance.
Supervisor Hamish Crooks told the News yesterday that submissions pushing for the continuation of the schemes had been made with the newly established Tongariro REAC – but there was some concern that they may have missed a deadline.
TWST presently provides employment for 30 unemployed people at Tokoroa.
‘‘ The information coming through at the moment is not the greatest – but we hope to hear something positive next week,’’ Mr Crooks said.
Trust chairman Elwyn Martin said the TWST had found itself in something of a limbo in recent months.
‘‘ We are not sure where we stand with new schemes coming onto line,’’ he said.
The TWST working modules currently in progress are labour intensive and include industrial and domestic sewing and hotel industry work covering broad spectrum catering.
But it’s problem is the July 24 expiry date – and the absence to date of a go-ahead to provide further work.
50 years ago Mr J Turner takes first and fourth in photo competition February 22, 1962 The open competition held in conjunction with the Tokoroa Photographic Society’s first meeting for 1962 recently resulted in a win for Mr J Turner with his colour slide, ‘‘Evening stroll’’.
Second placing went to Mr L Teague, ‘‘ Puffball’’, third to Mr R Brownsey’s ‘‘Rose’’ and fourth to Mr J Turner with ‘‘Golden chalice’’.
Members were reminded that the entries for the Wiltshire Cup contest had to be handed in before the end of February.