Rail passenger service document still a secret

Press, 8 July 1983, Page 3

Rail passenger service document still a secret

PA Wellington The Opposition has tried, so far unsuccessfully, to get a confidential document on the future of long-distance rail passenger services released under the Official Information Act. Labour’s spokesman on transport, Mr Richard Prebble, said yesterday that Labour had written, without result, asking for details of a Ministry of Transport document said to recommend cancellation of nine long-distance passenger services. Mr Prebble said the document was regarded by Labour as the first test case of the Official Information Act. The Minister of Transport, Mr Gair, attempted on Wednesday to calm speculation that the nine services

were about to be axed after reports that the Ministry of Transport had suggested to the Government that it end the financing of most long-distance passenger trains. Speaking from Rarotonga where he is attending a shipping conference, Mr Gair said that all longdistance passenger services were being reviewed, “but the review process is not yet complete.” “Further information has been sought and until this is available I will not be shaping my final recommendations to my colleagues,” he said. However, an official of the Ministry of Transport confirmed that it wanted nine services dropped because of the heavy subsidies needed. Mr Prebble asked how

the public would be able to have its say on what passenger services it needed “if the facts, and indeed even the existence, of the Ministry of Transport document is denied.” Parliament was told by the Government that Ministers would reveal the contents of all Government documents unless to do so would irreparably damage the country, he said. “What possible damage to New Zealand can there be by Mr Gair revealing that he has asked his Ministry of Transport officials to prepare a plan to axe all longdistance passenger services? “The only people who would be embarrassed by publication of this document are the Minister, his' officials, and the Railways Corporation board,” Mr Prebble said.