Helping The Chatham Islands

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30172, 2 July 1963, Page 12

Helping The Chatham Islands

Isolation has always been one of the biggest impediments to the economic and social development of the Chatham Islands. There is, therefore, good reason for welcoming the assurance by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Sir Leon Gotz) that priority wJI be given to filling the transport needs of the Chatham Islanders. Both the present Government and its predecessors have been daunted for too long by the difficulties and cost of providing an adequate aerodrome. In October, 1959, the Government signed a fiveyear agreement with Holm and Company for the maintenance of a shipping service carrying an annual subsidy of up to £14,300. In addition, the islands have been served by Sunderland fly-ing-boats of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. When landing facilities for commercial aircraft are available, more regular passenger services should be practicable, and the islanders should lose their sense of isolation. Economic progress within the islands should also be fostered by the gradual improvement of the reading system, even if this entails relatively large contributions from the National Roads Board.

• Visits to the islands by Ministers and public ser* vants have produced numerous reports on the problems of economic growth. About a year ago. as the result of recommendations by a special inter • departmental committee, full responsi-

bility for the administration of the Chathams was transferred from the Department of Island Territories to the Department of Internal Affairs. The latter department is advised on Chathams affairs by a standing committee on which are represented the Treasury, the Ministry of Works, and the Department of Maori Affairs. Government assistance has enabled a fishermen’s co-operative to spend £26,000 on a freezer and other assets. Agricultural problems in the islands, as Sir Leon Gotz has emphasised, are unlikely to yield to “any rapid or spectacu- “ lar solution ”; but scientific and other help is now much more readily available to the island farmers. For the last two years the Department of Agriculture has been represented in the islands by an advisory officer. Shearing and woolhandling courses have been arranged with the assistance of the New Zealand Wool Board. Research into the growing of trees in the Chathams climate has been continued by the New Zealand Forest Service. All this does not mean, however. that efforts to stimulate progress in the islands are yet sufficient. The Dominion’s responsibility for about 500 Chatham Islanders (who are as much New Zealand citizens as any

Christchurch resident) has been overlooked too often. Plans such as those outlined by Sir Leon Gotz may be welcomed with reserve till their fulfilment appears assured.