Comparison ‘unrealistic’

Press, 4 June 1988, Page 3

Comparison ‘unrealistic’

PA It is unrealistic ■ to compare the “have nots” with those with “golden futures,” says the political wing of New Zea-- : land’s Black Power gang. The gang; was responding yesterday to the announcement Of income cuts for young unemployed people and in? creases in bursary payments for tertiary students over the age of 20.

“Students know that if they can stick university out for three or four years, they can look forward to a prosperous future,” said a gang spokesman, Mr Bill Maung, of Wellington. Unemployed people were unemployed and many had no future to look forward to, Mr Maung said. The -payments should be considered apart from each .other, he said. In announcing the payment changes, the Minister of Employment and

i .towiiiMOy ’Associate Minister of Education, Mr Goff, compared the lot of the unemployed with students, a comparison Black Power /ays is unfair.

“If he feels like giving tertiary students more, fair enough. But the increase should be given on its own merits and not at the expense of the unemployed.”

The national regional branches of Black Power also say that while millions of dollars are spent annually on providing facilities for students, little Is being spent on the unemployed.

“This should be taken into account," Mr Maung said. While Black Power felt it was the right of all to pursue tertiary education, it was unrealistic to imagine all unemployed people going to universities and the like because there were not the facilities, he said.