Attack on Govt, activists

Press, 17 June 1988, Page 4

Attack on Govt, activists

The president of Fletcher Challenge, Sir James Fletcher, attacked the Government, local authorities, and activist groups in an address while opening the new Firth production centre in Christchurch yesterday. He said those groups "reacted with horror” if one tried to mill native timber, search for coal, gold or other minerals or develop industry. “You would believe we are the richest country in the world and can afford to lock up resources rather than use them to the national benefit he said.

Sir James said conservationists and environmentalists had a constructive role to play, "but too often their protests go beyond all reasonable bounds.” New Zealand’s falling economic performance over the last 30 years apparently created little concern. “The only sure solution is to provide necessary support to our farmers, manufacturers and exporters,” he said. Sir James was opening the new $8.9 million plant which will be the most modern production centre in the southern hemi-

sphere. It includes a sales centre, concrete-block making, and administration. About 300 guests at the opening also went on a site tour, including a visit to the computerised block-making plant, at the comer of Sawyers Arms Road and Broughs Road, Sir James said. New Zealand was going through a period of gloom and doom, with abundant resources the nation appeared determined to under use. He referred to the performances of Korea,

Singapore and Hong Kong, societies “totally wedded to what is to us an oldfashioned work ethic.” "These people possess another essential ingredient for success — confidence.” Even if New Zealand had the national objectives boasted by those societies it would be hard to achieve them in this country “when general attitudes here are so negative and confidence is lacking.” The plant will replace facilities at Rangiora, Sheffield Crescent, wnd Hornby. A