Airline head regrets “misinterpretation’

Press, 7 October 1980, Page 3

Airline head regrets “misinterpretation’

By

LES BLOXHAM,

travel editor

The chairman of Air New Zealand (Mr C. W. Mace) expressed regret yesterdav that his remarks about “constant and carping criticism from the political arena” were assumed, incorrectly, by the Minister of Tourism (Mr Cooper) as having been aimed at him.

Mr Cooper lashed out at Mr Mace in Invercargill on Saturday, - nd called on him to be more specific. He criticised Mr Mace for “not naming names,” and asserted that it should have been made clear that Mr Mace was referring to Labour’s spokesman on transport, Mr N. J. Kirk, and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling). Mr Mace, however, was clearly not prepared yesterday to allow himself to be-

come embroiled in a political slanging match. He restrained his reply, noting simply “with regret” that Mr Cooper had incorrectly interpreted his remarks. “I am sure that Mr Cooper is not unaware of the injustice of some in political circles who seek to denigrate the company and its people, an’. I would have hoped that Mr Cooper appreciated better the thrust of my remark,” he said.

“That-this was not so is a matter of regret, but I must say that when I accepted the chairmanship of Air New Zealand, I also accepted the responsibility to defend the company and its staff against unreasonable attacks and unfound allegations, and I will continue to do so.” Mr Mace made his reply after studying a transcript of Mr Cooper’s attack provided by “The Press.”