Freight rise criticised

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32567, 29 March 1971, Page 5

Freight rise criticised

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, March 28. The increase of $5 a ton on Chatham Islands freight was described on Friday by Mr T. M. McGuigan (Lab., Lyttelton) as a “further cruel blow to the economy of the islands, which is already faltering under the burden of shipping and transport costs.” Mr McGuigan said that the decision of the Holm Shipping Company might prove disastrous, because it came closely after a 15 per cent increase imposed last July. “These increases, applied when farming and fishing returns are so meagre and operating costs so high, just cannot be absorbed any longer,” Mr McGuigan said. “Something will have to be be done to alleviate the burden the islands residents are I being expected to carry. “Increased freight rates adversely affect everyone on the islands, but the Government has steadfastly refused

to acknowledge this problem and its effects on the welfare of the community. “Last year the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) refused to intervene following my representations for some relief.

“However I am taking the matter up with him again in the hope that the Government will act in the interests of the island residents and absorb this recent increase.”