THE SOUP KITCHEN INCIDENT 1984 (Nov. 3, 2018)

3 November 2018 at 5:26 pm

The rot goes back to that infamous year 1984….

I had my suspicions about the Lange government from before it was elected. Two things in particular concerned me:

1) LABOUR’S CRASS, BOORISH, DULL CAMPAIGN

The choice of the egregious Jennifer Warnes/Joe Cocker song “Up Where We Belong” made me cringe every time I heard it, and pointed to a dire lack of imagination and creativity in the party. Funnily enough, the New Zealand Labour Party’s use of that virtually unlistenable pop song in 1984 was echoed by the Democratic Party eight years later, when Slick Willie’s campaign song was Fleetwood Mac’s equally awful “Don’t Stop Thinkin’ About Tomorrow”.

2) THE SOUP KITCHEN INCIDENT

Shortly before the 1984 election, the Labour Party organised a brilliant media event to draw attention to the plight of the poor and homeless under the heartless National government. They organised a mock soup kitchen, to be held at Myers Park. Overtones of the Great Depression, unemployment, sugarbag years….

The media was invited, and all the Labour candidates they could muster would be there. Talking about poverty, of course. It was a MOCK soup kitchen, of course, but the soup was real, and prepared by one of Auckland’s most renowned chefs, and everyone would of course be served some of this top-grade soup after the speeches.

A short time before the event was about to get under way, as the assembled guests and dignitaries were arriving, the organisers were annoyed to see that a couple of real homeless men had arrived. They’d seen the mock-up Depression-style “Soup Kitchen” sign and assumed….

Assumed WRONGLY, it turned out. Labour’s hired muscle for the day escorted the horrible, tatty, unwashed tramps away from the “Soup Kitchen” quick smart, and the Labour Party Soup Kitchen event got under way. There was no further trouble from lowlifes that day.

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Te Reo Putake25.1.1

3 November 2018 at 2:55 pm

Absolutely it’s a priority, marty. I was talking to a minister about homelessness and they made the point that its a health issue, not just about housing. And others have talked about the links between suicide, depression and violence and mental health. This party cares.

Reply

• marty mars25.1.1.1

  3 November 2018 at 3:02 pm

  Good one – so good you get to talk to the ministers – feel a wee bit envious tbh – but pleased it’s you talking to them.

  Reply
• Chris25.1.1.2

  3 November 2018 at 3:05 pm

  Anything about social welfare? Raising basic benefit rates?

  Reply
  • te reo putake25.1.1.2.1

    3 November 2018 at 3:27 pm

    I don’t think it’s come up so far, though the policy part of conference is yet to come. From memory, I think Labour have already said they will regularly lift rates.

    Reply
    • Gabby25.1.1.2.1.1

      3 November 2018 at 3:28 pm

      Every blue moon. like clockwork.

      Reply
    • Chris25.1.1.2.1.2

      3 November 2018 at 3:44 pm

      They’re required by statute to raise benefits according to the CPI. I was referring to raising basic benefits so that people weren’t expected to be forced into debt, either to Work and Income or loan sharks or whomever, just to get by. Wonder what the odds are of that coming up in the “policy” section.

      Reply
      • The Chairman…

        3 November 2018 at 3:58 pm

        Raising basic benefits would also be of benefit to mental health. See my post at 25.1.1.4.

        Reply
      • Te Reo Putake…

        3 November 2018 at 4:25 pm

        There is one policy proposal that directly affects beneficiaries and that’s to lift the earning threshold and to lower the abatement. This would allow beneficiaries to earn more as part time workers and not lose the benefit at 70 cents in the dollar as it is now.

        Reply
• Morrissey25.1.1.3

  3 November 2018 at 3:30 pm

  This party cares.

  I’m sure the Labour Party cares a lot more about homelessness than it did in 1984, when in the run-up to the Snap Election it staged a mock soup kitchen in Auckland’s Upper Queen Street to draw attention to the failure of the Muldoon government’s housing policies. Dozens of news media and wellwishers turned up for the event, and were ladled out helpings of soup.

  Unfortunately, a couple of real homeless people also turned up and tried to get a plate of soup for their worthless selves—but were swiftly hustled away by Labour Party “security” before their shabbiness and unkemptness could lower the tone.

  The Labour Party of 1984 was dominated by such caring people as Roger Douglas, Richard Prebble, Mike Moore, Geoffrey “Footstool” Palmer, and Trevor De Cleene. I hope it’s slightly more caring these days.

  Reply
  • Chris25.1.1.3.1

    3 November 2018 at 3:46 pm

    Monty Python-esque. Probably still happen today.

    Reply
    • Morrissey25.1.1.3.1.1

      3 November 2018 at 3:51 pm

      I wouldn’t trust Palmer or Moore to look after a dog, let alone have any say in a welfare policy for people.

      Reply
  • Dukeofurl25.1.1.3.2

    3 November 2018 at 4:32 pm

    Spreading lies again Moronissey ?

    prove it or remove it.

    Reply
    • Morrissey25.1.1.3.2.1

      3 November 2018 at 5:07 pm

      Spreading lies again Moronissey ?

      Excuse me? When have I “spread lies” here or anywhere else?

      prove it or remove it.

      It was reported in the New Zealand Herald in June 1984, and quite possibly in theAuckland Star as well. Why don’t you get off your useless asssss and find it for yourself?
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