Asset sales protest in Southland

The nationwide campaign against the Government's proposal to sell state assets reached Southland this afternoon.

Between 100 and 120 people of varying ages from students to pensioners marched through inner city Invercargill.

Speakers from the Labour and Green parties, Grey Power and CTU all urged those gathered to sign the petition opposing the asset sales programme.

Grey Power spokesman Geoff Piercy says the asset sales programme is about feathering the nests of those who already have plenty.

He says one of the major problems in New Zealand is that close to 40 percent of the voters did not vote at the last election.

"This democracy was hard fought for, but it just makes me sick when I think that probably 40 percent of people didn't bother to vote."

Mr Piercy says he is very happy with the number and age-range of the protestors

"It's not in one part of the community. I think there's a genuine concern about the whole of this issue."

Photo: Asset sales march in Wellington (Yvette McCullough)