Minister '’not reluctant to help Lyttelton'

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33479, 9 March 1974, Page 16

Minister '’not reluctant to help Lyttelton'

[ rfrom Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, March 8. The Minister of Railways j (Mr McGuigan) said today he l was surprised by allegations of “reluctance to help Lyttelton.” He was commenting on a report of a statement by 'the Lyttelton branch chairman of the National Party (Mr R. A. Gormack). “It is indisputable that a rundown in coastal shipping occurred during the time the National Party was in office,” Mr McGuigan said. “No fewer than 14 vessels of the Union Company and its subsidiaries were disposed of in 1972 alone, and many of these were exclusively engaged in the coastal trade.”

Since the Labour Governjment took office a relatively short time ago. the New Zealand Shipping Corporation [had been established, the New Zealand Shipping Line 'had been set up and already

had two vessels which would work New Zealand ports, and its inter-island vessel, the Coastal Trader, had begun service. “In addition, the Government is already working urgently on the problems posed by the recently announced withdrawal of the Rangatira. The matter has been discussed bv the Cabinet and I personally have had talks with the chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board and other concerned parties.” said Mr McGuigan.

Officers elected. — Officers elected to the Canterbury branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand were:—President, Mr E. C. [Shaw; vice-president, Mr M. Pearce, secretary, - Mr B. Hanion: treasurer. Mr J. Tavener; committee. Messrs D. Taylor. P. Cooke. J. Hanna. G. Shields and Miss F. Blomquist