Progress in talks on Chathams

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32902, 28 April 1972, Page 10

Progress in talks on Chathams

(From Our Own Reporter)

CHATHAM ISLANDS, April 26. A large measure of agreement between the Chatham Islands County Council and the Government is being achieved in talks between the council, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Highet) and the Secretary for Internal Affairs (Mr P. O’Dea).

Many points in the economic survey of the islands recently conducted by departmental officers were discussed. Members of the council said they had not had time to study the report comprehensively, but were able to discuss with Mr Highet some of the most important aspects of development. These aspects included the problem of air and sea transport and associated costs, the future of the agricultural and fishing industries on the islands, the reintroduction of some form of

land rating, and the need for investigating fully the development of other industries, particularly the recovery, refining and export of

peat wax. “It is most pleasing to

feel that the Minister and officers of his department are using the economic survey as a basis to work on,” said the chairman of the council (Mr F. Lanauze) today. “It is hoped that a fully co-ordinated effort will be made to make the Chatham Islands community a selfsupporting and economic one which can contribute to some extent to the future of New Zealand as a whole.” He added that the meetings had done much to establish a closer spirit of cooperation and co-ordination.