Rhine blocked by barges

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33933, 28 August 1975, Page 13

Rhine blocked by barges

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright * ’ THE HAGUE, August 27. Dutch bargees blocking the Rhine and most of the country’s ports maintained their protest today' despite a Government warning that their blockade would be smashed if they did not end it voluntarily.

A Government communique last night said that the blockade, now in its third day, was seriously damaging the economy. But Mr Leo Van Laak, leader of the national campaign by 2000 militant skippers and crewmen, said that their protest would continue until the Government met their demands. The demonstrators want the Government to scrap its plans for legislation designed to reduce the numbers of the nation’s 8690 barges, because there is insufficient freight for them. Mr Van Laak yesterday persuaded the bargees to end their blockade of Rotterdam after a plea from the port’s Mayor.

The Government has not fixed a precise time limit for the boatmen to remove their barges. A head-on conflict between the authorities and the protesters might be avoided if Parliament rejects

the legislation in a vote today. Members of Parliament representing three coalition parties in the Socialist-led Government of the Prime Minister (Mr Den Uyl) have criticised the proposals as premature.