Skybus

Press, 21 November 1981, Page 14

Skybus

Sir ,—I am a member of the Aqua Avia Society (Skybus) and today, with, great delight, I made arrangements to fly on my airline to Auckland. But the champions of free enterprise, the National Party, have again put a barrier in the way of this free enterprise operation. Mr Malcolm, the Minister of Immigration, has withdrawn work permits of the flight crew. This action is the most disgusting attempt to stop the society. This action is crazy because these English pilots are not taking jobs from New Zealanders as I understand no New Zealanders are qualified to fly the Viscount. The actions of this Government are clear; they prop up Air New Zealand with millions of our tax dollars and then kick the freedom ethic in the guts—Yours, etc., BRIAN ROBERSON. November 20, 1981.

Sir—ls the National Government really supporting private enterprise? Why has it done everything in its power to stall the start of the first commercial flights with Skybus? The Minister of Immi-

gration, Mr Malcolm, has now taken away the work permits of Skybus’s Captain Watt and the air hostesses. What is the Government really afraid of? Because of the realisation of. Skybus, Air New Zealand was' forced to introduce its Epic air fares, so Skvbus has already done the people of New Zealand a service. There are now over 40.000 Skybus members throughout New Zealand, so can the Government really afford to lose those votes? Surely Mr Malcolm himself can hardly afford to lose the votes of the 600-1000 Skybus members residing in his marginal seat of Eden, or is he already resigned to the fact that the Labour Government will get into power this coming election?—Yours, etc., K. J. VON KOHORN. Timaru, November 19, 1981.