User talk:LJ Holden/January 2006 - November 2006

Rail
Hi. It's good to see a fellow kiwi who shows an interest in the railway system. Was wondering if your keen on working together on the Toll articles?--Matt von Furrie 22:52, 14 January 2006 (UTC)
 * Too merge them? --Lholden 04:27, 15 January 2006 (UTC)

No, as in assist with whatever information you could provide :-) --Matt von Furrie 09:34, 27 January 2006 (UTC) (talk)

Hi Lewis. Thanks for your welcome, and also your edits to improve the layout and content of that page. I am not sure whether the "talk" is meant to be done on your page or mine, but hopefully this makes it through to you. J.christianson talk

Kia Ora
Hey, I've just created the Royal Commission on the Electoral System article, thought you may be interested and/or have stuff to add (I will slowly bulk it up) --LeftyG 04:21, 24 January 2006 (UTC)

Image:Nz UT 1835c.gif listed for deletion
An image or media file that you uploaded, Image:Nz UT 1835c.gif, has been listed at Images and media for deletion. Please look there to see why this is (you may have to search for the title of the image to find its entry), if you are interested in it not being deleted. Thank you.
 * The IFD listing is as follows:
 * Image:Nz UT 1835c.gif, incoming links replaced to a CC-SA version on Commons, Image:Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand.svg.

Greentubing 07:36, 7 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Fine by me - the SVG version is better. --Lholden 22:33, 7 February 2006 (UTC)

Waitangi Day
Nice expanding on NZ Day! :)

btw thanks for adding the citation. Brian | (Talk) 09:54, 28 April 2006 (UTC)


 * No worries. I want to add some more on the current proposals to change the name back to NZ Day. --Lholden 00:34, 29 April 2006 (UTC)

Auckland meetup
Just to let you know that a meetup is planned in Auckland for the 25th of June (see Meetup/Auckland for more details), and that you are cordially invited. GeorgeStepanek\talk 00:21, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

User:Aidan Work
This banned user has been insulting you, oddly enough via my talk page, if you feel like asking for proper ban enforcement to be carried out. --Kiand 06:29, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

What an idiot!
I have removed this comment as it was a Personal attacks Brian | (Talk) 05:42, 3 May 2006 (UTC)

Advocate of democracy - no way!
There's no way in Hell that you are an advocate of democracy if you support the hated and anti-democratic MMP system. I can guess that you support politicians who like to think that they have the right to trample on the peoples' rights, such as declaring the results of the 1999 Referendum to be non-binding. If that is the case, then it goes to show how dumb you really are! - (192.190.108.19 05:29, 4 May 2006 (UTC))
 * Since you're just guessing, you're simply wrong. If you'd bothered to read anything on my website, you'd see the opposite to the above is true:
 * I'm hardly the biggest advocate of MMP, I actually think a modified version of Preferential Voting is better.
 * In any case, MMP is more democratic than FPP, simply for the fact that a government's majority in the House actually reflects a majority of the votes cast at an election - which is more than you can say for FPP, which allowed a party with less votes than its opponents to govern by a bare majority of seats rather than votes;
 * Citizens' Intiated referendums aren't binding, hence the 1999 referendum on the number of MPs wasn't either.
 * I have reservations about making CIR binding, primarily because they allow MPs too much lee way - e.g: if you reduce the number of MPs, do you cut list MPs or electorate MPs? That's not clear from the referendum, but the current members' bill to reduce the number of seats in Parliament is going to cut the number of list MPs. That's hardly actually reflective of the wishes of the NZ public.
 * Lastly, there's no need to insult me, it only lowers the regard I have for your arguments. --Lholden 07:47, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

As for your remark claiming that the abolition of the right of appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is legal,it just goes to show how braindead you republican untermenschen really are! The people didn't vote for it. Had there been a referendum, an overwhelming majority would have voted 'No' to closing down the Privy Council appeal. As for cutting down the number of MP's, I favour the abolition of the list seats, plus I favour the abolition of the Maori seats, plus I am strongly in favour of limiting the tenure of an MP to two 3 year terms. If they engage in corruption, then they should be executed by being shot! Republicanism is a barbaric system, considering that the Republic of Ireland is a racist pirate state that discriminates against its Protestant minority. You republicans could never win me over to your braindead cause, as I am of Scots descent, come from Wanganui, and served under our much-loved former Governor-General, Sir Michael Hardie Boys, who admired me for my loyalty, despite my sympathies for Ian Paisley, who is a very good man. Anglicans like me are very well-known for our opposition to any regime's apartheid policies. I would never support any republican system. Hell would have to freeze over before I would ever accept New Zealand becoming a banana republic, which your pals Jim Bolger and Chris Laidlaw want. I don't think Hell will be freezing any time soon, I'm afraid! - (192.190.108.19 08:08, 4 May 2006 (UTC))


 * The only way the abolition of the right to Appeals to the Privy Council could be illegal would be if Parliament were not granted full sovereign rights by the Monarch to make laws (i.e. Parliamentary Sovereignty). Since that is the case, you are wrong. Her Majesty's Parliament voted by majority on the Supreme Court Act 2004, and the Bill became law at the hand of the Her Majesty's representative, the Governor-General, who is appointed by Her Majesty. Ipso facto; the monarchy is constitutionally useless at protecting itself. As an aside, I support entrenching the key statutes of our constitution (again, see my website so that in order to amend or repeal any section, there would have to be a referendum on the proposed law. I note that no supporter of the monarchy has ever mooted such a proposal...

I find it strange that you claim that republicanism is 'barbaric'; given the fact that you would presume to play God and execute MPs for 'corruption'. --Lholden 08:16, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

Look at what is happening in Zimbabwe. I know Bolger wanted to see New Zealand as a bloodbath like that hell-hole! (192.190.108.19 08:25, 4 May 2006 (UTC))
 * What's happening in Zimbabwe has precious little to do with New Zealand, nothing to do with republicanism in either country. Our two countries have little in common, moreover, New Zealand has an entrenched democratic ethos. Mugabe's regime is little better than the regime it replaced. Injustice perpectuates injustice. Secondly, unless you actually know Bolger (which you probably don't), what you're saying simply isn't true --Lholden 08:31, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

Jim Bolger
He is hated by the people of Wanganui for selling them out over the illegal occupation of Moutoa Gardens,which I was strongly opposed to.
 * Really? My flatmate is from Wanganui and she doesn't hate him. In any case, it would have been wrong for the central government to intervene in what was a local government issue (i.e. the occupation of a Wanganui District Council park). Moreover, to allow the executive (the Prime Minsiter) to direct the Police who they are to arrest goes firmly against the independent operation of that body. You'll find such powers in a Police state, but not an open democracy like New Zealand. --Lholden 08:21, 8 May 2006 (UTC)

Blog
Have you seen this blog it seems to be attacking you (if that is indead you:).

Also on your blog under "Suddenly I see" the changes happened because we are a democracy, not and we should Never be a dictatorship. (The monarchy is not a dictatorship btw :) IMO the Privy Council changing should have come as a result of a binding referendum, not as the will of a government. Brian | (Talk) 07:44, 8 May 2006 (UTC)


 * Thanks Brian, no it's not me. It's rather funny though, because Bill's just gone and done a simple search. There are actually two Lewis Holdens in Wellington!


 * Also, I've never called the monarchy a dictatorship. That was Bill Wilmot, he said that here. What I did say, however, is that the argument that monarchy protects against dictatorship is false. That is not to say republics are perfect - far from it - but the sort of 'blood in the streets' nightmare scenarios put forward by some supporters of the monarchy are just plain silly.
 * As for the Privy Council, I agree that the issue should have been put to a referendum. I actually collected signatures for the petition launched by National, ACT and NZ First; not because I support the Privy Council, but because I believe fundamentally in democracy, and that New Zealanders should have ownership of their own constitution. That's why I am a republican I guess. I should note that the Supreme Court was a Labour Party policy, and the Nats did nothing about it until the legislation was actually upon them. --Lholden 08:18, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
 * oops, I new I had read that dictatorship comment somewere :) Brian | (Talk) 08:27, 8 May 2006 (UTC)

Blog
I am surprised on how fast you found it :) I hope you don't mine if I was using your template, I was just playing around with a nice looking design.

The points you raised about the "Why we should no become..." part were interesting, has there been a poll held lately? Brian | (Talk) 03:50, 14 May 2006 (UTC)
 * Ah, well you linked to one of my images, so I picked it up. I usually check to see whose linked to me, just in case I'm being defamed! The last poll was the NBR one, I think. The split was typical if I remember correctly --Lholden 10:13, 14 May 2006 (UTC)
 * Shakes head :) Brian | (Talk) 10:57, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

Blog(3)
Ever wondering who comments as Fred on your blog? --Midnighttonight 03:53, 18 May 2006 (UTC)
 * Ah, it's you! Good old Fred A. Weld :) --Lholden 04:20, 18 May 2006 (UTC)

Sup?
Hello indeed Ham21 06:47, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

Image Tagging Image:Wellington railway station.jpg
Thanks for uploading Image:Wellington railway station.jpg. I notice the 'image' page currently doesn't specify who created the content, so the copyright status is unclear. If you have not created this media yourself then there needs to be an argument why we have the right to use the media on Wikipedia (see copyright tagging below). If you have not created the media yourself then it needs to be specified where it was found, i.e., in most cases link to the website where it was taken from, and the terms of use for content from that page.

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Referendums in New Zealand
Referendums in New Zealand may be of interest to you. --Midnighttonight 09:24, 22 May 2006 (UTC)
 * it has to start somewhere! And have you seen Mr Bill Wilmot's response?  It's a crack up! --Midnighttonight 09:30, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

Mark Holden
In reply to your question: No, I don't think I do, but then I do know some Marks who I don't know the surname of. How/why would I know him? --Midnight tonight 09:00, 29 May 2006 (UTC)
 * Well, he isn't in any of my classes, but there are around 60 people doing politics honours over about 20 classes. --Midnight tonight 09:05, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

?
re this edit was was wrong with it that it needed to be removed, Could you bring it up on the talkpage why? Brian | (Talk) 10:11, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

Have done Brian: see here --Lholden 10:17, 29 May 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks for that, Good call. Brian | (Talk) 22:43, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

Oath of Allegiance (New Zealand)
You might be intrested in Oath of Allegiance (New Zealand). If you want to add anything about the silly, waste of time Oaths Modernisation Bill. Or the treasonist republicans views Brian | (Talk) 01:47, 31 May 2006 (UTC)

Queen of NZ
Okay, It still had some work, thanks Brian | (Talk) 05:33, 5 June 2006 (UTC)
 * I was basing it on the Aussie one mainly. It might slightly overstate it Brian | (Talk) 05:40, 5 June 2006 (UTC)
 * However imo the monarchy is relevent in New Zealand Brian | (Talk) 05:57, 5 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Oh really? How? --Lholden 06:13, 5 June 2006 (UTC)

Bill of Rights
No, I do not think any group in NZ would be that stupid. Brian | (Talk) 01:54, 6 June 2006 (UTC)


 * Your blog is currenty slow loading Brian | (Talk) 02:00, 6 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Now when you try and view the pages (archives, past posts etc) you get a 404 error Brian | (Talk) 04:53, 10 June 2006 (UTC)
 * That will be why then, sorry for bothering you :) Brian | (Talk) 05:11, 10 June 2006 (UTC)

Tim Selwyn
I noticed you blogged on Tim Selwyn, care to add to the wikipedia article? --Midnighttonight 03:27, 6 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Do you mind if I quote from your blog, on wikinews? Brian | (Talk) 04:23, 6 June 2006 (UTC)

Temp
I hope you don't mind me editing your "temp" article.

A few more dates we should add would be in 39, the first British High Commissioner to NZ (as you would know, before that GG took care of that :) 43 we had the NZ Minister of External and foreign Affairs who took over all NZ External and foreign Affairs.

77 Seal of NZ Act

83 Letter Patent --> first update since 17.

Maybe add about Porritt--> first NZ born GG. and Freybreg --> he spent a lot of time in NZ. IIRC he attended School here. Blundell was also important being first NZ resident. I belive he was also the first to stay in NZ after his term was over as well. However we might want to keep the GG out of this article

Well my spelling/grammer is shocking tonight, better get some sleep :) Brian | (Talk) 10:37, 6 June 2006 (UTC)

OnTrack and a userbox
Malo e lelei. Thanks for the clarification. Hahaha... no, you and I still stand on different sides of the 'republican' line. Sorry to 'peak' your curiousity ;) -- Greaser 09:42, 10 June 2006 (UTC)

Well, I'm more concerned with the opportunity cost in that situation actually. -- Greaser 05:56, 18 June 2006 (UTC)

Garratt note
Hi,

It would be appreciated if you would expand on the reasons Garratts were not sucessful in NZ. My understanding is that it had more to do with operating conditions in NZ. As it is the para adds very little to our understanding of the design.

Cheers, --Michael Johnson 01:25, 12 June 2006 (UTC)

Monarchy / republic debate: for & against
Looks good.

The only line that I see needs a copyedit is "The Prime Minister should not have the power to dismiss the Head of state at will (as they do with the Governor-General" It seems to be slightly misleading, The PM 'advises' the queen to dismiss the GG, the PM does not do the dismissing 'as such' (Although the Queen by convention accepts the advice) Brian | (Talk) 07:43, 13 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Also it might pay to add a line about the "partnership of crown and Maori" (through the signing of the Treaty) and that the monarchy actually costs us virtually nothing (apart from the small cost for the GG).


 * If the Republicanism in NZ article is expanded much more it might be worth splitting it up into sections with the main article link. Brian | (Talk) 08:01, 13 June 2006 (UTC)
 * I just noticed the Republicanism article all ready talks about the "partnership of crown and Maori", ignore that comment :) Brian | (Talk) 08:08, 13 June 2006 (UTC)

Looks good to me Lewis. I might change the bit that says the Queen protects against the excesses of Parliament to "the Queen MIGHT BETTER protect against the excesses of parliament". Otherwise I think it's very good Ham21 07:32, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

I'm stuck in two minds about it, if it is an article discussing possible future change, should it be titled to reflect the status quo, i.e. Monarchy/Monarchism in New Zealand or something to that effect or, maybe Monarchism and Republicanism in New Zealand? That was alphabetical order by the way. ;) -- Greaser 06:02, 18 June 2006 (UTC)

Logo
If the Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand has a logo, could you look at uploading it for the article? Brian | (Talk) 01:02, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

HRC
I created a Human Rights Commission stub, and might expand it sometime soon. Mostlyharmless 04:26, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

Grey
Could you please clarify your last addition - did Grey influence, or was he influenced by.

New Zealand blogosphere
New Zealand blogosphere now exists. Have a look over it and see what you like. Just remember, add links only when they are appropiate ;-) --Midnighttonight 09:16, 18 June 2006 (UTC)

Wilmot
Wilmot has not been a very good cause of defending the monarchy; I would almost say he is bad for it. There is nothing wrong with a good open debate on the monarchy imo. Btw your blog archives from pre 2005 are not working. Brian | (Talk) 09:31, 25 June 2006 (UTC)
 * By that I meen direct linking to them ie Brian | (Talk) 09:32, 25 June 2006 (UTC)


 * Agreed. With almost certainty I can say that he what some would call a "piss-take". -- Greaser 09:48, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

[New Zealand Midland Railway]][
Hi, can you check New Zealand Midland Railway I just found it and highly suspect it needs to be merged into another article. Onco_p53 23:28, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

I've been meaning to ask...
Are you any relation (maybe distantly) to the Holden v Architectural Finishes Limited 1997 case? Brian | (Talk) 06:45, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

List of Governors-General of New Zealand
I was just thinking about that, moving it to its own page is a good idea imo, I'll move it. Should there be a column that says what PM appointed the GG, and what PM/Government was under the GG? Brian | (Talk) 09:15, 19 July 2006 (UTC)
 * I made a quick table up, using the first 5 Governors, User:Brian New Zealand/Govt-Gen do you think it is easy enough to understand? Brian | (Talk) 10:35, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

Tassie Rail Cat
Thanks at least at not doing an amerigo "railroad" item on this very british domain! I think you got em all! Thanks again, are you thinking of any other states to conquer? SatuSuro 12:41, 19 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Actually would you be interested in helping create a western tas rail template and also a west coast range one (or perhaps leading me by the coupler to the way to create em? SatuSuro 13:22, 19 July 2006 (UTC)!


 * Hey the Rail Tr in Tas is great! will no doubt create long night stints on checking thigns for months to come, thanks for that!  :)    SatuSuro 04:36, 20 July 2006 (UTC)

Quotes
I see you have been using the "quotes", I feel that that can make the article look 'nicer'.

I have just started an article about the National War Memorial (New Zealand), I believe you live down that way; it possible for one day you taking a image of the Memorial, so we can remove the fair use one? Thanks in advance Brian | (Talk) 11:07, 21 July 2006 (UTC)
 * No, at present completing NCEA L2, conversely the year subsequent to next, I plan to study, Law or Political Science, at Vic.

Colonial hangover
FYI, there is a demand for evidence for your recent edit in the Commonwealth Realm article on why African states rapidly ditched the monarchy, which I thought was a useful addition. I've written a defence at Talk:Commonwealth_Realm but if you come up with a hard cite I think it would help. --Chris Bennett 22:59, 21 July 2006 (UTC)

Nice and robust, though I suppose it could be argued that the cites aren't specific to the issue. As a matter of constitutional theory, he's quite right that the monarchy is "shared", but of course that's not how it was seen in practice in the Africa of the day (or now). Which is the point. --Chris Bennett 23:25, 21 July 2006 (UTC)

Dame Silvia send off
I just read on your blog about you "might pop over and take some pics"; if you do; would it be possible for you to get a shot of the GG flag flying. It would be nice to have a photo of the real flag in the Flag of the Governor-General of New Zealand. Thanks in advance Brian | (Talk) 05:55, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
 * No worries; thanks anyway Brian | (Talk) 00:42, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

New Zealand Bill of Rights
Thank you. I've worked a lot on the articles Fundamental justice and Security of person, so seeing that those phrases appear also in the New Zealand Bill of Rights gave me some interesting material to add to those articles. :) CanadianCaesar Et tu, Brute? 21:59, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Re: Republic / NZ Politics
Cheers. Its about time we organised into some sort of New Zealand Politics project don't you think? Theres certaintly enough of us going around. Mattlore 10:17, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

North Island Steam Explorer and the NIMT article
The Auckland departure point you raise makes me a bit skeptical myself. It seems a 2007 itinerary has been published; maybe other parts of the website are yet to be updated? Even if it is operating, though, I'm tempted to remove mention of it anyway as I don't see how it is any more notable than any other excursions. The text would probably be better if it simply said "though occasional tour trains organised by preservation societies will continue to operate". Do you agree? - Axver 03:23, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

GG flag
Excellent!

Btw you might be interested to know that Locke's bill was mentioned on TV1 last night. Very non NPOV interview; only one side.. Brian | (Talk) 22:50, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

AFD
If you are nominating Republican Monarchist Debate‎ as a result of the merge, you'd be better off redirecting (or failing that using prod as nobody is likely to oppose it) rather than completing the AFD. Yomangani talk 22:47, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

Places
You do sure have a affection for holidaying in monarchies :) Brian | (Talk) 01:07, 7 September 2006 (UTC)

AKL rail network map
Hello there, nice work on Image:AKL railway network.png, but would you please switch Papatoetoe & Papakura? They are in the wrong place. Thanks! Papeschr 10:05, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

GG Table
Kia Ora Lewis, I'm back from my two weeks driving camp thing.

Good to see you did not get up to anything to bad why I was gone :)

I like the new GG table; colour coding is a good idea imo. Brian | (Talk) 05:15, 9 October 2006 (UTC)
 * Agreed; however should there be a note that says that the Administrator also takes over when the GG leaves the Realm? Brian | (Talk) 21:37, 9 October 2006 (UTC)

Corruption (Index) ;)
Hi Lholden,

Apologies for the delay in responding, have had very little time. I was referring to the the Commonwealth Realms and their neighbours, with of course Papua New Guinea being the exception. I don't know enough about the Scandinavian counties conclusively; albeit, you did propose Finland to which I respond Denmark and Norway as being counter evidence, and the 'Benelux' as counter to Germany. The Land of the Rising Sun deserves a notable mention for not being redish/pink like its neighbours, does it not?

Oh, congrats to Wellington for the... demolition of Canterbury and Auckland in consecutive weeks by the way. Would have been a big night for all at Victoria Uni. :-)

-- Greaser 01:18, 14 October 2006 (UTC)

World University Debating Championships
Hi I was a judge at the world university debating championships in Dublin, Ireland, in 1992 with the Rt Hon David Lange. I represented Victoria University and also New Zealand. I put in a bid to host worlds in 1995 but did not get the full support of the New Zealand team at that time. I was talking to Rabon Khan a couple of months ago about trying again. He said ChristChurch City in New Zealand would be a good location to hold it. With your recent win on the Joint S. debating I was wanting to ask you if you would like to chair a group to discuss hosting worlds? RoddyYoung 03:38, 23 October 2006 (UTC)