Cook Strait ferry ‘a dismal failure’

Press, 28 February 1980, Page 6

Cook Strait ferry ‘a dismal failure’

The Canterbury Promotional Council will write to the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) expressing its grave concern about the “dismal failure” of the Cook Strait ferry service.

The motion put before the council specifically referred to failures “owing to continual disruptions.” It also sought an assurance by the Government of a dependable service. Failing this, it wanted the Government to reintroduce the WellingtonLyttelton ferry, or to provide incentives to establish an alternative, stable service. The chairman of the regional development committee (Mrs M. E. Murray) said that the people of Canterbury had had enough and that they had a democratic right for a better service.

One alternative, she said was to introduce the military to run operations. “Until we have a lifeline established, we will continue to suffer. Too manv people in the South Island are being crippled,” she said. Mr B. E. Cossar, “speaking as a representative of PDL Industries,” said that he was tired of being held to ransom by the strikes. His company was constantly having to wait for a particular part, then having to air freight it, which was costing both his company and the country as a whole.

The motion was passed unanimously and it decided that the letters be sent to the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon), the Minister of Transport (Mr McLachlan), and the Minister of Labour (Mr Bolger). The regional development committee also recommended that a forum be set up at the

council's April meeting, with invited experts, on energy topics. Mrs Murray said that it should be a public debate so that the people of Canterbury would hear what tne council had put forward. She hoped that the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. G. Hay), as well as relevant experts, would participate. Particularly, she wanted “people with clout,” who were concerned about the alternatives to gas,-.,and the problems of smog, to,'attend.. , The chairman of the public relations committee (Mr R. Skjellemp), said ’ that there was a seridiis lack of promotional material for Canterbury as a place, to come to visit or for conventions. He hoped that the promotional film for conventions produced three years’ ago required improving, but. that it

would be an expensive busk ness. As an immediate roeasure, he suggested an updating of certain clips within the film where the logos of participating companies were no longer current. Other recommendations of his committee included the placing of cards in buses and taxis advertising the whereabouts of the'council. It was hoped to produce a guide to local picnic spots from the results of a recent “picnic spot”, competition. Mrs M. O. Cleland pointed out from the floor that the promotions of the council were only as good as the service visitors received when they came to Christchurch. Mr Skjellerup said that ways of hosting visitors who had no contacts in Christchurch privately, should be considered.