Sleeping Dogs

---

( Dramatic music playing on TV)

'The Prime Minister, Mr. Volkner, has had

to cut short his crucial Middle East talks

'seeking a continuation of

our oil supplies and return home to face

'the most serious crisis

in labor relations since 1951.

'The country today ground

to a halt in the major cities

'as the threat of a general strike loomed.

'Rioting broke out

as pro- and anti-strike factions

'collided outside the Auckland waterfront

this afternoon.

'Police were called in

and 11 men were admitted to hospital.

'One man is in a critical condition

with severe head injuries.

'The introduction of petrol rationing

and curtailing of public transport

'has given the union cause

a large measure of public sympathy.

'Only success at the conference tables

will give the Volkner government

'the public support it will need

to avert a general strike.

'It was hoped the Prime Minister's arrival

would break the air of mystery

'so far surrounded the Mideast oil talks,

but he refused to give any indications

'when met at the airport

by a TV1 film crew this afternoon.

(Reporter) 'Have you been able to

negotiate for continued supplies of oil?

' Unfortunately I'm not in a position

to discuss the matter.

'Are you aware of deteriorating

union-government relationships?

'- I am.

- What are you going to do about it?

'All I can say is the government

will not be held to ransom.

'If strikes continue, we'll be prepared

to meet force with force.

(Newsreader) 'This tough line with unions

has been backed up by new legislation...'

Dad? Dad?

Dad, where are you going?

I don't know.

'...and carry penalties of heavy fines

and imprisonment.

'The Army will be called in to replace

workers withholding their labor

'and police will be granted

wider powers of arrest.

'The most controversial clause

of the new legislation...'

I made you a present, Dad.

'...to detain without charge.

'It's believed even some government

members may vote against this clause.

'The Prime Minister will make

a major statement on all channels

'as soon as the vote has been taken.

'He will then disclose the outcome

of his talks with Arab leaders.

'In official figures released today...'

I'll see you.

'...the previous quarter, while gas and

electricity charges have increased 400%,

'and clothing prices 280%

over the same period.'

Bye-bye, Dad!

I haven't bloody left yet,

so shift that heap!

Hang on. I just want to talk.

Smith, please, for God's sake...

What do you think you're doing,

you bloody idiot!

For Christ's sake!

(Tires squeal)

( MURRAY GRINDLAY:

"Don't look back")

Drop me a line

If you find you've the time

And let me know how you're doing now

And maybe some day

We might just meet up again

Though I don't think so somehow

Time will take care

of this whole damn affair

Lord, I'm so down in the mumps

That you've gone your way

So I guess I'll go mine

Like a free bird heading south

Don't look back

Why don't you turn around?

And don't look back

It will only bring you down

Though your hea-a-art

May be broke in two

Don't look back

It will only depress you

Keep on moving, baby

Don't look back

If you had your way

Maybe I would have stayed

For a short time...

(Dog barks)

(Feeble bell rings)

( Country music)

Fifty, fifty, fifty

Fifty-five dollars a week

Diggin' holes for trees

on the Auckland Council

I dropped that spade...

(Coughing)

Yeah?

Actually, I'm not after a feed.

I was after a bit of information.

I was wondering if you could tell me

who owns the island in the next bay.

- Gut Island, I think it's called.

- It's Mori land.

Where would I find someone

who's responsible for it? For renting it.

Ben Taupiri up the p.

Yeah, Ben knows all about it.

Well, thanks very much.

Take a bottle of Scotch with you.

For the old bloke.

I will. Thanks very much.

Back to my daddy's farm

Back to the cows

that I have learned to love

And I'll never, never, never...

(Dog barks)

Excuse me. Would you be Mr. Taupiri?

Hmm.

A bloke back in town said you might know

something about renting Gut Island.

- Gut Island?

- Yeah. I'd like to, uh...

live out there, if it's at all possible.

- What do you want to live out there for?

- I don't know. Just a change, I suppose.

I could fix the place up a bit, you know.

I thought I'd plant a bit of a garden,

catch a few fish.

I don't mind paying rent

and I could paint it up, fix it up.

(Speaks in Mori)

(Continues in Mori)

The, uh, old man said it's OK.

Oh, that's great. Thanks very much.

Look, um... would the old man like

a bottle of whisky, do you think?

- Would you like a bottle of whisky?

- (Replies in Mori)

- I'll just get it out of the car, OK?

- (Speaks in Mori)

Hey.

(In Mori)

You, uh, like the dog?

- Oh, yeah, it's a beauty.

- You can have it. It's yours.

- Er... what's her name?

- I don't know. It's your dog.

Look...

How are you going to get over there?

Er...

I've... erm.. got a great boat here.

Just needs a bit of paint, that's all.

Now listen, I... I'll do you a favor.

I'll swap my good boat for your car.

Eh? Look, that cost me

3,000 bucks, that did.

Hey, you kids! Get off my car!

(Dog barks)

(Seagull squawks)

( Gentle music)

Come on.

'This is an illegal demonstration!'

(Crowd yelling)

'Those persons not dispersing

will be arrested!'

Let's go.

'Keep back over there!

Get down off the truck!

'Stand back!'

(Firing begins)

Ah! Aargh!

( Dramatic music)

Over here!

'Fire!'

(Sirens wail)

(Sirens wail)

( Dramatic music resumes)

(Chirping)

(Whistles, clattering)

(Radio distortion)

'We tried talking...

We tried compromise.

'They all failed.

'That is why I ordered the Army

to break the waterfront strike.

'You do not need me to tell you

of the gravity of today's tragic events.

'It seems beyond belief

'that such a barbaric

and senseless act of violence

'could happen here in New Zealand.

'What are we to do?

'What I know is

that no longer will we be intimidated

'by the thugs wishing to plunge

this country into anarchy.

'No more will we pander

to the communists,

'subversives and other radicals

'wishing to destroy

established law and order.

'This organized campaign of terror

will not be allowed to go unchecked.

'Parliament will go into a temporary

recess for the time of the emergency

'and a curfew will be imposed

between 8pm and 6am.

'To lead this country

out of economic and political chaos,

'I must have your mandate.

'If I am to accept the challenge,

'you, the people, must demonstrate

your total and unequivocal support

'for the measures I am forced to take.

'A date will be announced in the near

future for a national referendum

'at which you will decide if I am to

continue to have that power and authority.

'It is indeed a tragic day

in New Zealand's history.

'It is with a heavy heart

that I address you tonight.

'But I know that together,

if we work together,

'towards a common goal,

'we will have a standard of living

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes