Aorangi news cover ‘completely distorted’
By
OLIVER RIDDELL
in Wellington
Some news media coverage of the Aorangi Forest Industries issue has been “completely distorted,” according to the Minister of Regional Development, Mr Birch. He had not been prepared to comment on previous inaccuracies because much of the correct background was still commercially sensitive, he said. But he took exception to the allegation in Wellington’s morning newspaper, the “Dominion,” that “the overwhelming local backing
forced the Government’s hand.” Mr Birch said the Government had been well content with the contribution of $350,000 from the West Coast, and it had been included in the earlier package that had been supported originally by both the company and the Government. The company itself had decided to raise further private capital from the West Coast, and that had been the basis for the final package. The Government had simply not been prepared to make substantial loans
available until Aorangi had addressed the financial, management, and shareholder issues which were of p great concern to the Government, he said. Substantial taxpayer money was involved, and would have been very much at risk if these issues were not addressed. Mr Birch said the final package did address these issues, as had the earlier proposal supported by the Government. At no time during the negotiations had the Government considered the suggestion by local authorities of raising their own loans.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19840621.2.14
Bibliographic details
Press, 21 June 1984, Page 2
Word Count
231Aorangi news cover ‘completely distorted’ Press, 21 June 1984, Page 2
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.