Dunedin trade survey ‘naive’

Press, 12 June 1987, Page 25

Dunedin trade survey ‘naive’

PA Dunedin A Trade and Industry Department survey on Dunedin business is naive and negative, says the Mayor of Dunedin, Mr Cliff Skeggs. Mr Skeggs has also told manufacturers to stop whingeing and blaming other people for their difficulties, and to do something positive in their own right. The survey, presented to the City Council’s economic development committee, showed that some manufacturers had low confidence levels and a.poor morale. It also showed a lack of business opportunities which were holding back Dunedin’s development In reality, manufacturers needed to stop blaming somebody else, be more self-motivated, and stop directing their problems to the city, Mr Skeggs said. “I’m not suggesting this is all manufacturers, but it appears Co be a substantial percentage of manufacturers who find it so easy to direct their problems to the city and make accusations against the city’s efficiency versus their own.”

Commenting on the survey’s finding that efficiency and cost of services at the Port Chalmers container terminal were a barrier to development, Mr Skeggs said he would have to concede there was justification to review restricinhibiting exports through the port