Mr Gair’s attitude annoys council

Press, 22 September 1983, Page 9

Mr Gair’s attitude annoys council

The Minister of Transport, Mr Gair, has been criticised for his lack of consultation over the possible aboliton of long-dis-tance passenger train services.

The chairman of the policy and resource committee of the Canterbury United Council, Cr T. M. Inch, said that he was disappointed that the council had not been consulted over the review of passenger services.

“We were set up by the Government as a mouthpiece for the Canterbury region and told we would be consulted on matters affecting the area. Yet this review could go through without our being notified,” he said.

The council wrote to Mr Gair in July to seek back-

ground information on the review of passenger services.

In Mr Gair’s reply he said that the level of subsidy support required for longdistance passenger service was $3l million a year, and he said that this money could possibly be used better elsewhere.

“If the rail system is dismantled, the chances of ever getting it back are not good,” Cr V. S. Buck said. “I am also dubious about the number of roads in New Zealand that can withstand the extra traffic which will be generated,” she said. Cr Buck was also critical of the way the amount of subsidy needed for passenger services was worked out, believing it to be too high.

“Submissions should be sent to Mr Gair seeking the retention of passenger rail services and, in fact, the upgrading of existing services,” she said. Cr D. B. Rich said that a deputation approach was always more effective, but he would like more information before going to Wellington to fight for the retention of the services. Cr T. J. Brocherie said that the Government was committed to the corporation and wanted it to pay its own way, and so any deputation would have to have sound reasonings.

Cr Inch said that submissions would be made to the Minister of Transport in due course, but only after the council had “done its homework.”