‘Independent Aramoana’ issues new stamp set

Press, 2 December 1981, Page 6

‘Independent Aramoana’ issues new stamp set

The “Independent State of Aramoana” has released a second, issue of "stamps” after the success of the first issue, which raised more than $ll,OOO for the national campaign against the proposed aluminium smelter at Aramoana. About half of the new issues, which went on sale on November 8, has already been sold. The stamps cannot be used for postal purposes. Aramoana “seceded” from New Zealand in December, 1980, in opposition to plans to build the proposed . aluminium smelter in the district, on the northern side of the entrance to Otago Harbour. The second issue of Aramoana stamps consists of two 40c stamps printed in miniature sheets of four comprising stamps of each design. The stamps feature

reproductions of screen prints, of the Lake Mahinerangi area by the Dunedin artist, Marilyn Webb. The first issue, which was a single design based on a painting by the artist, Don Binney, sold out within four or five months of its release. The money raised from the sale of the stamps was used to pay for research and publications and for the distribution of information and leaflets about the proposed smelter, partly through the “Travelling Embassy of the State of Aramoana” which toured New Zealand earlier this year. Profits from sales of the latest issue will be used for similar purposes. Ten thousand sheets of the stamps have been printed in Christchurch. The “Aramoana Philatelic Bureau,” which is responsible for mar-

keting the stamps is also based in Christchurch. The organisers expect the issue to sell out at least as quickly as the first one. A third issue of Aramoana stamps will probably be released next year. It will feature New Zealand rivers which are threatened by, generally, hydro-electric power projects. Considerable numbers of the first and second issues of the stamps have been sold overseas, bringing into New Zealand overseas funds. The organisers of the issue feel that this is ironic in view of the assertions made about the proposed smelter. The four-stamp miniature sheet of the first issue is no longer obtainable except through stamp dealers and already sells for considerably more than its face value of $1.60.