During the recent construction work we discovered an old
newspaper. To be precise it was The Otago Daily Times for Friday July
4th 1980. I vaguely remember 1980 – I was six at the time – but I
hadn’t quite realised how different it was. To illustrate,
some of the stories:
- The Budget – 4% wage rise for everyone. The days of
government control of prices and wages – from the right-wing government! - West Germany – Remember when you had to put a qualifier on
Germany? The article was about arms limitation and medium-range nuclear
missiles. (Remember when the enemy really did have nuclear weapons?) - Reagan – He was widely expected to win the election but there was
still speculation about who is running mate should be: Howard Baker
and George Bush were the candidates. The photo of Bush makes him look
like a stunned possum. - “The Mayor of Dunedin … sent a telegram” – It was, of
course, to complain about a television program. - Rowling sacks Roger Douglas – Four years later Roger Douglas would
be in government and implementing the new-right budget he had just
been fired for promoting. - “Power Surplus in 1990” – Yeah right.
- “President Carter has ordered men between the ages of 18 and 20 to
register for possible military conscription, saying the move is a
precautionary measure because of Soviet intervention in Afghanistan.” - Three Mile Island – “Another Mishap Possible”
- “Trials In Secret Banned By U.S.”
- There is an advert for food processor classes.
- Iran – Starts to stone people for sexual offences
(previously it was a firing squad).
Some things don’t change:
- Drinking age – Still being debated.
- Cartoons – Still bloody Peanuts.
Finally, some headlines and quotes out of context:
- “Hong Kong residents can now take day trips to China to see where
their water supplies come from.” - “Iranians Taunt Soviet Union”
- “Machine Disappoints Unionists”
- “Privet a popular hedging plant”
- “He described the taking of the car as ‘more of an unauthorised
borrowing than a theft’”