Some Down To Last Penny

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31231, 1 December 1966, Page 1

Some Down To Last Penny

(N.Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Nov. 29. Suntanned and smiling, 28 New Zealandbound passengers, stranded on Norfolk Island since Saturday because of the Qantas pilots’ strike, arrived at Auckland Airport today.

With them on the R.N.Z.A.F. Hercules transport aircraft were 36 passengers who had planned to return today

and others who had cut short their holidays for fear of being stranded should the strike be protracted.

Among the first of those stranded to leave the Customs hall were Mr and Mrs A. Greenwood, of Auckland, who said they had heard of no-one suffering real hardship. “We heard of one chap who said he had 15 cents between himself and doom. It would have been the same with us if our bank hadn't sent some money out to us,” he said. He said the Norfolk Islanders were “very worried"

about the strike continuing and ruining their tourist trade-

Mr B. Entwhistle and his wife, of Christchurch, said: “We just did not know what arrangements were being made to get us home. From last Saturday we could only afford to spend 50 cents a day. “I have got to send the hotel people some money to pay for the extra accommodation.” “We got down to our last penny and we were waiting on cables,” said Mrs H. P. Ahrens, of Whangarei.

The 12001 mile return flight will cost Air New Zealand about £lOOO. Those passengers stranded since last Saturday will get half of the expenses they have incurred paid by the airline.

So far Qantas trans-Tasman passengers are being carried on Air New Zealand, 8.0.A.C., and Pan American services without any major problems. The situation could become aggravated if Pan American services are stopped by a dispute involving 13,000 of their employees. The strike could start on Friday. - rt