新西兰英语 355 Agreement on “The Hobbit” movies

　　The problem over “The Hobbit” movies has been settled. Listen to Oct 22 2010 for some background to the problem.
Last week, the actors’ union said that the real reason Warner Bros was coming to New Zealand was to try to get a tax reduction¹ from our government. When the agreement was made with Sir Peter Jackson to make the movies in New Zealand, the Kiwi dollar was low but now it is about US76 cents to the Kiwi dollar. Also, some other countries, like some Eastern European countries, offer better tax reductions² than New Zealand for making movies in their country. However, Warner Bros said that the problem was worry about the actors going on strike.
It is true that members of the actors’ union were not happy with the individual contracts they had with the film company but they have promised not to go on strike during the filming. The Prime³ Minister talked with Warner Bros and said that the government will change the law about individual contracts for actors working in films. Helen Kelly from the New Zealand Trade Union is worried about changes to the employment⁴ law.
But the problem was also about money. The Prime Minister announced tonight that the New Zealand government will give Warners an extra $33.5m in tax reductions. This includes spending $10m on advertising⁵ each movie, partly to encourage people to see the movies but also to encourage tourists to come to New Zealand.
Questions
1. Why do we have trade unions?
2. When the Kiwi dollar is high, who benefits? When it is low, who benefits?
3. Why did the government want to settle this problem with the film company?

1 reduction   

n.减少，减低，减缩；减少，减低

参考例句：

• Reduction in income tax will be welcomed with open arms.减少所得税将受到热烈欢迎。
• You will have a reduction for cash.付现金可以打折扣。

2 reductions   

减少( reduction的名词复数 )； 降低； [数学]约简； [摄影术]减薄

参考例句：

• Many companies have announced dramatic reductions in staff. 许多公司已经宣布大幅裁员。
• The forthcoming talks hold out the hope of real arms reductions. 即将举行的会谈给实现真正的裁军带来了希望。

3 prime   

adj.首要的，主要的；最好的，第一流的

参考例句：

• The prime minister spoke of the general insecurity in the country.总理谈到了全国普遍存在的不安全。
• He met with the Prime Minister of Japan for an hour.他和日本首相会见了一个小时。

4 employment   

n.雇用；使用；工作，职业

参考例句：

• A large office requires the employment of many people.一个大办事处需要雇用好多人员。
• The state of employment in this city is improving.这个城市就业状况正在改善。

5 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。