New Zealand freshwater management and agricultural impacts

In New Zealand, it is increasingly recognised, including by government, that water resource allocation and water quality are issues of national importance. Agriculture is frequently portrayed by public media as a major user of water and a major contributor to worsening water quality. We outline the water management systems in New Zealand, and the use of water by agriculture. Official reports on agriculture's impact on New Zealand water availability and quality are summarised. We report how the New Zealand public perceive water, its management, and the roles of agriculture in water issues. Data from a nationwide mail survey were analysed to determine how New Zealanders assess the state of New Zealand lakes, rivers and streams, and aquifers, the performance of three agencies responsible for management of freshwater resources, and willingness to fund stream enhancement. We provide brief explanations for the failures of water resource management in New Zealand and report on options, including community-based responses that might address some of the mounting public, scientific, and government concerns about trends in water quantity and quality. A willingness to pay proposition, concerning riparian areas, included in the nationwide survey provides some evidence that the public are willing to pay for improved waterway management. Relevant non-market valuation studies also indicate that the public places considerable value on preservation values of water in New Zealand.     

Monetary valuations of university course delivery: the case for face-to-face learning activities in accounting education

Student preferences for delivery options were obtained within a monetary framework by asking students to purchase their ideal course structure. Results show that accounting students prefer to spend more on tutorials but purchase less lecture time; the difference due to the higher cost of tutorials compared to lectures. Face-to-face classes were preferred to web-based materials. Within lectures and tutorials students prefer more time devoted to teacher-centred activities than student-centred activities. Monetary valuations, where students must take into account the cost of delivery as well as effectiveness, provide insights for teaching staff and administrators, who need to simultaneously enhance teaching and learning, satisfy student preferences and operate with limited resources. Online and/or student-centred learning may not be compatible with preferences of accounting students. Teachers need to balance calls to change educational delivery and learning activities with preferences of accounting students, or ensure they educate students on why non-preferred approaches are undertaken.     

Tax(i)ing the Poor? Commuting Costs in South African Cities

In this paper, I describe the monetary and time costs of commuting to work in South African cities, and how these have changed in the post‐Apartheid era. I interpret these results in light of a paper by Brueckner, who used a simple urban model to suggest that location and commuting patterns by race could change as a result of the repeal of Apartheid era legislation such as the Group Areas Act that made it impossible for black South Africans to live near the centre of cities. A key finding is that monetary and time costs of commuting in South African cities are high and have increased in the post‐Apartheid period. Journey times are much higher than the OECD country average and a sample of developing country cities. Part of the explanation for increasing average commute times is population growth in South African cities, which has been substantial. Both the population and number of commuters doubled between 1993 and 2013 in the six metropolitan municipalities (metros) analysed in this paper. Since commuting costs a substantial amount and generates negative externalities through congestion I also explore the financing of public transport.     

The North American–European Union Dispute Over Beef Produced Using Growth Hormones: A Major Test for the New International Trade Regime

At the time, the negotiation of the SPS agreement was seen as a major accomplishment of the Uruguay Round. One of the first major tests of both the SPS and the WTO’s new dispute settlement system was the long standing and acrimonious dispute between the EU and the US and Canada over trade in beef produced using hormones. Both the SPS and the disputes system performed as expected but the EU, the loser in the case, has chosen to ignore the WTO Panel’s ruling and accept retaliation. As a result, the credibility of the WTO is threatened and the outcome suggests that new negotiations may be required. The issues in the case are outlined and implications for trade in biological products drawn.     

Defecography: Results in 55 patients and impact on clinical management

We reviewed the medical records and defecograms in 55 consecutive patients to determine the impact of results of defecography on clinical management. Main indication for defecography was constipation, present in 40 (73%) of 55 patients. In the remaining 15 patients, indications included obstructed defecation (5), incontinence (5), and miscellaneous symptoms (5). Defecography evaluated pelvic floor motion by assessing changes in the anorectal angle (ARA) and anorectal junction (ARJ) during various maneuvers, extent of evacuation, and structural abnormalities. Patients were grouped based on results of defecography as being normal (26) or abnormal (29). Comparison of measurements of the ARA and ARJ with various maneuvers showed no significant differences between the two groups. Clinical impact was determined by analyzing therapy done following defecography and subsequent patient response. In the normal group, 15 patients were managed medically, seven surgically, and four lost to follow-up. Clinical improvement occurred in 13 (59%) of 22 patients, with similar results between medical (60%) and surgical (57%) therapy. In the abnormal group, 16 had medical management, seven surgical therapy, and six lost to follow-up. Clinical improvement occurred in 13 (57%) of 23 patients but surgical therapy showed more improvement. In conclusion, most standard measurements of the ARA and ARJ were of no value in determining abnormality. Results of defecography did not alter selection of medical or surgical therapy, and had little impact on patient response to therapy.     

Unions fit for young workers?

If trade unions are to reverse the membership decline sustained since 1979, more young workers must be recruited. This paper examines the views of young workers towards trade unions by reference to survey data. It argues that there is little evidence of a ‘Thatcher’s children’ effect in which principled opposition to trade unionism is widespread. Instead the paper shows that shifts in the labour market, the effects of employer resistance to trade unionism and union inefficiencies have a marked effect on the unionisation of young workers.     

Responding to Japan's deregulation of beef imports: A multifaceted challenge for Canadian export managers

While governments may expect benefits to arise from trade liberalisation, those benefits may not be forthcoming if there are considerable increases in the costs faced by exporting firms in the period following liberalisation. The challenge for export managers is to identify the important transaction costs and to find the vertical coordination mechanism which minimises transaction costs given the new importing regime. As of April 1 1991 Japan's beef importing system completed a major phase of liberalisation. A mutually beneficial increase in Canada-Japanese trade will, however, require a complex and multifaceted response from the Canadian beef industry.The Scottish Agricultural College receives financial support from the Scottish Office, Agriculture and Fisheries Department.     

The supply of new germ plasm to the Canadian beef cattle industry

This study examines the factors affecting the supply of new germ plasm, a necessary condition for genetic-based technological change, in the Canadian beef cattle industry. The analysis concentrates on the factors affecting the establishment of purebred cattle enterprises geographically and over time. The results suggest a consistent pattern of location across breeds and over time. Additional results point to some of the problems from estimating the process of diffusion when the process is incomplete. Implications for the beef cattle industry are presented.