I know we all feel helpless and distressed right now about the Pike River mining tragedy. The natural human response is to want to “do something” to help.
Here’s something we can do.
The Labour Party was born in the mines on the West Coast. Our hearts are with the miners families.
You can donate to the them by going to the Labour Party website or by clicking directly here
PS: The givealittle website goes to the Grey District Mayoral Fund so that the public can offer financial support to the families directly affected. (added: Nothing to do with the Labour Party)
People can also donate by going into their local ANZ or National Bank branch, or via internet banking.The account number: 01 1841 0052483 00
Deleted. We sorted it out on twitter. Apologies. Clare
Well, no, not really but I do think this post is somewhat tasteless.
Deleted. See my comment. Clare
I agree with DtB above. First Darien, and now Clare, both trying desparately to remind everyone of the the origins of the Labour party. Disgusting.
Politics is probably the last thing the victim’s families want to think about.
Just keep rubbing it in.
You know. Dariens post was disgusting (as were her follow up comments).
BUT – Even I (as a righty) believe that this post is simply calling for donations.
The fact is labour did come from there and CC is simply mentioning that link to the community.
Lets not make this a political football (even in the comments) – show a little class and donate if you can afford to.
oh – and if you dont want to go thru the labour party website – use the direct options. Nothing political there.
@ Bed Rater
“Politics is probably the last thing the victim’s families want to think about”
Which is why the pm should get his face out of theirs.
Pathetic little man.
What’s the matter with the first two posters?
Are you really objecting to the fact that NZ Labour WAS born at the coalface? Or the fact that the west coast has a special bond with the party?
I have seen no-one make political capital out of this tragedy… Except you two fools.
I think it’s great that people are giving assistance to the families left behind.
Settle down. Members of the Labour Party are grieving today because the West Coast is a very special place in our hearts and it was hard-working and brave people like those workers and their families who formed our Party. Those of us who are passionate about our beliefs and who have learned some history know how unique this sort of solidarity is to our country. On no other place on earth would the whole nation feel like they have lost 29 brothers. Clare is just pointing out something that a lot of other Labour supporters are recognising today.
Al1en, at least John Key is the leader of the country, whether you like it or not. If you wish to talk about pathetic little men, look at your own so-called leader. 6% Goff indeed.
Al1ens, you shouldn’t assume that opponents of the the current Labour party are supporters of the National party Government.
The PM is the duly elected leader of the country, it’s probably sensible for the elected leader of the country to speak and support the victims. I believe Phil Goff, as leader of the opposition is also doing the same, neither have yet brought partisan politics into the mix yet.
That’s all happening here.
Will try again.
Bed Rater that’s garbage! There is a close tie between the Labour Party and many West Coasters, so it stands to reason the historical links between them will be mentioned. It follows that many Labour members will personally know Coasters, and so yes… Clare is right. They will be distressed and want to help in some way.
What I find disgusting is the attempt by right wingers on this site (and other sites) to misconstrue comments on the Pike River tragedy as evidence of Labour Party political posturing. They are beyond contempt.
Apologies to anyone who thought we were asking people to donate to the Pike River mining families via the Labour Party. We’re not. The link is to http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/pikeriver
which is the Give A Little site where the Grey District mayoral relief fund has been set up.
People can also donate via an ANZ or National Bank branch or internet banking. The account number: 01 1841 0052483 00
Once again apologies for any misunderstanding. The post could have been written better.
@ Clare
You don’t have to apologise for anything. Your post was clear enough. They either can’t read or have poor comprehension skills.
@CC – I think it was pretty clear. Sadly there are people who will see a problem where there isnt one. (Drack and Bed rater)
That says more about them than anything.
@Clare – I think I see where the confusion might come from. When I clicked on your twitter link it took me to the old Labour site, nothing about Pike River, so my jaw hit the floor. Was terribly relived when it refreshed a couple minutes later. Just some silly caching problem somewhere.
chris – kudos for your even handedness on this.
“Sadly there are people who will see a problem where there isnt one. (Drack and Bed rater)
That says more about them than anything.”
Chris, I concur.
Anne, Tracey, you have the measure of it.
Clare has no need to apologies.
Have already made a decision that a percentage of our business’s revenue for the next two weeks will go to the Grey District Mayoral Fund. It may not be a lot, but if other businesses choose to and are able to do likewise, we can all make a difference.
ACC will help too, I think (funeral expense contributions).
I imagine the average rock face miner cant afford insurance to cover death/accident. I may be over reaching with that generalisation.
I wonder what the premiums would be for a mine company to hold insurance on behalf of their workforce, would it be prohibitive due to the high risk?
People criticising this post you have sunk to a new low. You always manage to find some way to criticise Red Alerts posts even when it’s about the most basic common sense. Now youve managed to aim your vile rhetoric at a post asking for donations to the families of the mining victims.
So what if the Labour party has roots in the west coast, weather they mention it or not it doesn’t make it any more or less of a fact and won’t give them any sort of political gain. I was watching the news updates yesterday and news reporters were also mentioning this fact. Peter Williams gave a long description about the working class lifestyle of the west coast and how the Labour party was born there. John Campbell mentioned it in an interview with a miners union organiser. It’s worth mentioning because it’s the truth. Were those reporters also speaking in ‘bad taste’?
Clare you have nothing to apologise for.
@Tracey – so there’s one citizen left who actually has some faith in ACC? This situation is ripe for another one of their deleted, Clare.