If you're interested, then e-mail us at: cafca@chch.planet.org.nz

Membership is free but conditions apply.

And, on the subject of new members, we believe the most effective means of getting our message around is by word of mouth. If you've got friends or workmates whom you think are likely to join CAFCA or be interested in what we have to offer, then put them in touch with us. We're always ready to welcome new members. You, our existing members, are our most effective recruiters.

A 53 minute 1997 British documentary that you're never likely to see on TV (which is why we bought it from the UK). Filmed over three years, this is the riveting account of the libel case brought by McDonalds against grassroots British activists, Dave Morris and Helen Steel. Their crime? - handing out a leaflet attacking McDonalds. They defended themselves brilliantly, turning the trial (the longest in British history) into a withering indictment of this most insidious of American transnationals. In the end, they won half the case ie the judge found that half of their claims to be proven. He awarded reduced damages to McDonalds - Helen and Dave announced that they wouldn't pay, and McDonalds said that it wouldn't pursue payment. This was the definitive corporate public relations nightmare. It's a documentary that you won't want to miss.

It's available for hire for $10, payable in advance, for one week (the hire cost includes postage). Make cheques to CAFCA, Box 2258, Christchurch.

CAFCA MEMBERSHIP FEE INCREASED
Up To $20 From 2000; New $15 Unwaged Rate

At the 1999 CAFCA Annual General Meeting there was a motion to increase annual membership fees by $5 (to $20 for ordinary members; and $30 for institutional and overseas members), to come into effect from the 2000/01 membership year. This was amended from the floor to include a $15 unwaged rate for ordinary members. The amended motion was carried unanimously. This was deemed necessary because of CAFCA's increased expenses over recent years. We realise that a $5 increase will hurt some of our members, so that's why the new $15 unwaged rate has been introduced. Don't worry, we won't operate a means test - we'll leave it up to you to decide if you're waged or unwaged.

This new rate will start for existing members when we bill you for your 2000/01 annual membership fee ie midway through 2000. For new members, it will apply from January 1, 2000.

CHEQUES
Please Make Them Out Correctly

Please ensure that your cheques, for membership, donations, purchases, etc, are made out to CAFCA, and nobody else. If you wish to make a donation towards Murray Horton's pay, then make your cheque out to the CAFCA/ABC Organiser Account (which is a separate account).

Donations From John Curnow Trust

CAFCA gratefully acknowledges the generous donation of $750 from the Father John Curnow Memorial Trust. An identical donation was made to the CAFCA/ABC OrganiserAccount, which pays Murray Horton to work for both organisations. The Trust was wound up and its funds disbursed, after eight years of funding various progressive causes. Announcing its impending winding up, the Trust called for applications for its funds. We were amongst the lucky ones - quite a number missed out altogether.

It is appropriate that CAFCA should be one of the recipients of Curnow funds. John, who died in 1991 (aged 71), was a member. He was an active supporter of the Anti-Bases Campaign and its predecessor, Citizens for Demilitarisation of Harewood. We worked together on the international campaign to rid the Asia/Pacific region of US bases - his speciality was the Philippines. He was one of the founders of (the former) Ploughshares, a Christchurch group of Catholic clergy and laity that regularly held protests at the American base at Harewood, against NZ military spending, and against NZ's involvement in the 1991 Gulf War.

He was a driving force in the progressive wing of the Catholic Church, his most prominent position being executive secretary of the Commission for Evangelisation, Justice and Development. He was a leading figure in the Christchurch-based Catholic Commission for Justice, Peace and Development (since closed down by the Church hierarchy. See Watchdog 77. Ed.). He never aspired to high clerical office, preferring to keep working at the grassroots as a priest. Of course, for his trouble, he attracted great opprobrium from reactionaries, both inside and outside the Church.

John was involved in all the big issues. Through his Church connections, he networked with the Maori nationalist movement. He fought the good fight against apartheid, as did so many other progressive Catholics. He personified internationalism, travelling and working on every continent. In fact, he died immediately after getting home from the Marshall Islands. It was Asia in general, and the Philippines specifically, that was his greatest love. He first visited that country in 1971, and went again many times. 100 people attended a memorial Mass in his honour in Manila, when he died in 1991 (Murray Horton was invited to speak, as the only New Zealander present). He was the inspiration behind the 1984 New Zealand Solidarity Conference on the Philippines, in Wellington, the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Essentially he founded the Philippines Solidarity Network of Aotearoa (for full details of John's life, see his obituary in Watchdog 68. Ed).

In a nutshell, John was our friend and colleague. We are deeply grateful that we are able to benefit from his posthumous generosity and will ensure that the money is put to good use.

For the past several years, Murray Horton has used his "A Beginner's Guide to Foreign Control" as the basis for speeches and papers delivered in Christchurch, and around the country. He makes sure that it is regularly updated. But at 45 pages it's far too long for us to consider publishing.

That's why we have decided to make copies available to members who request them. It covers: the global context; foreign control in Aotearoa; myths about foreign control; future trends; "free" trade; WTO/MAI/APEC; and what we can do about it.

You can order it from CAFCA. Enclose $10 to cover copying and postage.

The Election