CHATHAMS SERVICE

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32612, 21 May 1971, Page 11

CHATHAMS SERVICE

Protest on air

charges

A protest against the increased air fares and air freight rates to and from the Chatham Islands has been made by Mr T. M. McGuigan, member of Parliament for Lyttelton. The proposed increases of up to 13 per cent in fares and as high as 66 2-3 per cent for certain classes of freight were a cruel blow to a people who for the last three years had been progressively tightening their belts as the economy of the islands had tottered around them, he. said. Apart from the passenger fares, the proposal to increase the freight rates on bread, butter, eggs, meat and fresh fruit from the mainland by 20 per cent was of particular concern, Mr McGuigan said.

Shipping freight rates had been increasing steadily in recent months. The impact of the new air rates on costs would be crippling. "One Can only deplore the Government’s total lack of consideration for a financially depressed section of our community Which, because of its isolation, has no alternative to paying the ever-increasing transport' costs being forced upon it.” Mr McGuigan has made his protest to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath), who authorised an application for an increase in the air charges.