Shipping News Coastguards want rebate reinstated

Press, 21 August 1979, Page 21

Shipping News Coastguards want rebate reinstated

The New Zealand Coastguard Federation believes the Government should reinstate the sales tax rebate for marine search and rescue equipment and has directed its members to send letters and telegrams to members of Parliament.

At the federation’s annual conference in Wanganui it was unanimously agreed that the tax rebate should be reinstated. The recent removal of the rebate had put severe financial strain on members of volunteer organisations such as coastguards. The equipment was not only costly but also needed to be replaced quite frequently. The federation also agreed that because of the recently imposed sales tax on commerciallybuilt boats and the fact there was no supervision of the standard of construction of pleasure craft, the Government should be urged to exempt from sales tax portions of a craft concerned solely with safety. The Canterbury service, which proposed this action, said the exemption would remove any risk of skimping on hidden safety features in an attempt to keep construction costs down. It also decided that the federation should continue to ask for a refund of petrol tax on petrol used for search and rescue purposes, including training. The possibility of a voluntary examination for novice boatowners to test basic skills will also be taken up by the federation. £ & Some Lyttelton taxi drivers are offering a novelty free service as part of their move into new office premises. The conditions are painted in big letters on the new office and stipulate that the intending free passengers must have either arrived on “the first four ships” or be over 90 years of age and accompanied by a parent. ARRIVALS

Coastal Trader (12.12 p.m.), 2500, Auckland, Capt. J. Stanaway (9.C.N.Z.).

DEPARTURES Coastal Trader (7 p.m.), 2500, Dunedin (S.C.N.Z.). EXPECTED ARRIVALS Anco Charger, from sea, today. Union Hobart, Wellington, today. Coastal Trader, Dunedin, August 22. Amokura, Wellington, August 22. Kwangs!, Nelson, August 22. Botany Trader, Tauranga, August 23. Lake Eyre, Australia, August 23. Union Hobart, Dunedin, August 25. Holmdale, Chatham Islands, August 25. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Union Hobart, Wellington, today. Anco Charger, for sea, today. Coastal Trader, Auckland, today. Ngahere, Tauranga, today. Alexander Zawadski, Apia, August 23. Forum Niu Gin!, Noumea. August 23. Amokura, Dunedin. August 24. Union Hobart, Wellington, August 25. VESSELS IN PORT Alexander Zawadski, Cashin Quay No. 1. Forum Niu Gini, No. 7 West.