Politicians attacked over attitude at meeting

Press, 7 August 1978, Page 13

Politicians attacked over attitude at meeting

Politicians who “turned i concern about Canterbury’s economic problems into a political football" at a recent meeting of provincial interests. have come under attack. Mr A. G. Williams, vicepresident of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, told the chamber last evening that the meeting had “unfortunately developed” into a political discussion. "Politicians from both sides were having a go at each other.” he said. “This is not what we should be after. We want to do something to help rectify the situation.” The meeting to which hei was referring was called last ‘ month by the member of Parliament for Wigram (Mr M. A. Connelly). His statedi intention was to promote uni-! fied action by Canterbury interests to counter high un-i employment and the problems of industry in the city. As well as trade unionists.

1 employers, manufacturers,;: , and retailers, both local bodyh ; politicians and members of 11 Parliament were invited. 1 Mr Williams said last even-!' ing that the' meeting had 1 proved worth while apart! ’ from the political element. 1 “Over-all production in; Canterbury is now down ! about 30 per cent, according to my estimate.” he said. , “People are not importing sol] much either, and there is a . consequent downturn in roadl] and rail, transport, as well as tonnage through the port of y I Lyttelton. . •< “We must have the partici-1[ pation of the Federation ofjLabour because it is just as , much their problem as oursj. They realise this and it is;‘j ] good to see ’ them take an i | active part,” Mr Williams]! said. |i i Mr J. M. T. Greene, chair-; ! man of the chamber’s eco- i nomic affairs committee, said;' (that the Canterbury chamber;] should not admit defeat over ; f I the “Iron Bridge” issue. This;] . refers to a proposal that_Cook!j

'Strait ferry rates should bej ] abolished for rail freights, and replaced with a simple! charge for the mileage! between Picton and Wellington as if there were a railway line running between them. “The main thrust of our! argument should not be over- :, looked. The c’ost of transport l ' between the North and South i Islands is the major factor 1 working towards the detri-11 ment. of South Island industry.” Mr Greene said. ;j A member of the chamber, ii Mr .1. M. Tocker, said the'j “Iron Bridge” concept could - be compared to the Kaimai,' Tunnel. “There is no more', reason that the South Island], should have to pay for the!. Iron Bridge than that then Bay of Plenty should have to pay for the Kaimai Tunnel,” he said. The cost of the tunnel,;! Which was designed to serve]' the Bay of Plenty, was dis-|l sipated throughout the rail-l< ways system, he said. So h should the cost of transport;! between the islands. n