Mr Kirk’s Reply On Shipping Line
The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) said yesterday that Mr S. C. Scott, president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, did not have the over-all support of his organisation , when he opposed the Labour Party’s desire to start a national shipping line. "Every time Mr Scott makes a statement 1 receive' letters and telephone calls; from businessmen who are; anxious to dissociate them-' selves from his remarks,” said i Mr Kirk. Mr Scott had said at; Oamaru that it was a matter for regret and grave concern that the Labour Party was! reputed to support the idea j of a national shipping line. He had said that New Zea-! land could not afford such' costly experiments for the sake of minorities who had I in the past put their own I interests before those of their I country.
Mr Kirk said this was manifestly wrong. The Labour Party had served the country well, and far from being a minority, it would soon have a majority of voters behind it.
“It ill becomes Mr Scott to object to sound policies," said Mr Kirk, “particularly those policies that are directed to the establishment of a ship ping corporation for the de velopment of New Zealand's trade and more so when he comes from an organisation which is itself a tiny minority."
The purpose behind the establishment of a shipping corporation was to ensure that transport was available to ser-
vice new markets and to save' overseas funds. It was also to ensure that in the matter of sea freights! and other important aspects! of shipping, the decision i I made and the actions taken 'served New Zealand's inter'ests rather than mainly those! lof the shipping lines. “Unlike Mr Scott, I believe! that it is possible for New; Zealand to have and run{ some ships of its own," said I Mr Kirk. “Who says New Zea ; landers cannot do what the; Australians, the Israelis, the Norwegians, the Swiss and the Danes have done?” he asked.
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Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31973, 28 April 1969, Page 14
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339Mr Kirk’s Reply On Shipping Line Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31973, 28 April 1969, Page 14
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