M.P. critical of C.M.A.

Press, 13 August 1980, Page 24

M.P. critical of C.M.A.

The annual report of the president of the Canterbury Manufacturers. Association (Mr W. Beaven) showed a “totally negative, distorted attitude” towards the future development of the South Island, the member of Parliament for Lyttelton (Mrs Ann Hercus) has said. In his report, Mr Beaven said the restoration of a Lyttelton-Wellington. ferry service was unrealistic. The 200,000 tonnes of freight lost on the north-, "south, rim did not reflect on the.. viability of-a ’potent’.-J service,. Mrs. . Hercus saidJ

The loss was a result of the collapsed growth of the South Island.

"To argue on the basis of what happens to freight when the economy is in deep recession is not only defeatist but economic stupidity,” she said.

“Mr Beaven has also apparently swallowed the Minister of Transport’s totally fictitious figures on watersider costs. No such (manning costs exist.” He had also made the totally false comparison of fares and-cost) structure of a proposed service with those

of the Rangitira, Mrs Hercus said.

"The Rangitira was the wrong vessel for this run from start to finish. The Labour Party had in mind a smaller, more austere service geared for economy fares for passengers and a fast and efficient freight service,” Mrs Hercus said. "Mr Beaven will have to answer to his own people for his defeatist attitude, towards South Island potential, and his assumption that the np-growth .economy New Zealand has' will continue,” she. said.