Mr Kirk’s Reply On Shipping Line

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31973, 28 April 1969, Page 14

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.