ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Saturday, November 10, 2012
27
Comment Our view
Obama welcomed back By Coen Lammers
editor
T
he majority of people in Mid Canterbury appear to have welcomed President Barack Obama winning a second term in the White House. Aside from the fact that New Zealanders seem to identify more easily with President Obama’s social policies than the more conservative approach of his Republican opponent, a victory for Mitt Romney would have been a major setback for local exporters. New Zealand trade negotiators have been working for several years to stitch together a coveted Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries and a new administration in Washington could have set the process back months or even years. Traditionally, the free trade mantra has appealed to the Republican part of Capitol Hill, but over the past term the Obama administration has proven to be extremely pro-active by signing bilateral agreements with several nations in the Pacific Rim. New Zealand trade negotiators would have been relieved that they can now keep building on the work done so far and the personal relationship with their US counterparts to secure a free trade deal. In contrast, any US elections usually trigger a major cabinet reshuffle and New Zealand ministers will have to deal with a new Secretary of State, a new Trade Minister and a new Minister of Defence and those personal relationships make take some time to warm up again. Under the Obama administration, New Zealand and other Pacific nations have grown in prominence as the Americans have identified this area a crucial region in world politics. The Chinese expansion in the South Pacific through its growing economic muscle and their stronger relationships with the island nations have alarmed the Americans, whose traditional footprint around the Pacific is being challenged by Beijing. That renewed interest is the major leverage for the New Zealand government and has already produced stronger military relationships despite our on-going nuclear-free stand. The free trade agreement though is much more important and should be achievable as the impact on the American economy would be minor, whereas many New Zealand exporters would reap huge rewards. Mid Canterbury dairy farmers should be especially pleased that Mr Obama has stayed in office as they are likely to be the major beneficiaries of a free trade deal.
Goodbye Greg King By Rebecca Quilliam Rarely do rival gang members and criminals come together with police, government ministers and the leading lights of the legal fraternity, but for Greg King they did. Close to 800 people - family, friends, colleagues, clients and admirers - gathered at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul yesterday to remember the top lawyer, who is now counted among the “giants of criminal law”. Nearly a week after Mr King’s body was found near his home in suburban Newlands, the shock and disbelief over the death of a man who lived for his wife and family and who was brilliant in his craft was still palpable. His wife, fellow lawyer Catherine Milnes-King and the couple’s children Pippa, 5, and Millie 4 were joined by mourners including Health Minister Tony Ryall and fellow National MP Nick Smith, lawyer Barry Hart, former property tycoon Terry Serepisos and members of the Mongrel Mob and Black Power gangs. His plain pine coffin, which arrived at the church in a Rolls Royce, was draped with his court robe, wig and his familiar blue bag. Wellington District Court, where Mr King spent much of his legal career, closed its doors yesterday so staff could also pay their respects.
Crumb
Mr King, who was 43 when he died, was described as someone who was dedicated to the law, passionate about representing the under-dog, loyal to his family and friends and generous to a fault. Catherine Milnes-King said the depth of her grief at losing her soulmate was like a “black hole”. “Upon receiving the news it plunged across the event horizon,” she said. “You are my stars, you are my moons, you are my universe, you are my everything.” Mr King’s father, Jeffrey King, said he could not remember his son making a poor choice until last Friday. “Thanks for being my son Greg, you’d have had a wonderful party if you could see everyone here”. His mother Jennifer called him a wonderful son “and I am privileged to be his mother. Rest in peace Gregory”. Judith Ablett-Kerr QC, Mr King’s mentor, said of her close friend: “His talents seemed to know no bounds and his energy was limitless as he searched for the stars”. “The light that burned so brightly was extinguished so sadly and unexpectedly,” she said. Mr King, who recently successfully defended Feilding farmer Ewen Macdonald during his trial accused of murdering his brother-in-law Scott Guy, seemed gifted in identifying with all people associated with all aspects of
by David Fletcher
the legal system, the service was told. Justice William Young said Mr King was known for the empathy he felt for victims of crime, and crown prosecutor Simon Moore SC said Mr King was “scrupulously honest”. “If Greg said it was so, it was, because his word was his bond.” It was a tribute to Mr King that people representing all aspects of the legal profession as well as victims of crime felt a keen loss at his death, he said. Robert Lithgow QC said Mr King was admired among the legal fraternity because he was always made an effort to help people who found themselves in a predicament. “He was one of those lawyers who could find something good even in the most unsatisfactory of people.” Archdeacon Monty Black said Mr King had been exhausted, unwell and disillusioned. Brooke Fraser, the daughter of Mr King’s close friend former All Black Bernie Fraser, sang at the service and screens displayed images of Mr King from throughout his life. Mr King was born in Wanganui in 1969 and was raised in Turangi before studying law at Otago University. “It was clear to all he was destined for great things,” said one of his oldest friends, Paul Benjes. Mr King’s death last Saturday has been referred to the coroner. - APNZ