Guarantee from the weathermen

Press, 8 March 1989, Page 1

Guarantee from the weathermen

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

An unconditional guarantee that any big weather situation will be predicted, in spite of costcutting measures, was given yesterday by the Minister of Civil Aviation and Meteorological Services, Mr Jeffries. He said the responsibility for accurate weather forecasting would continue to be met. “I can assure the people of New Zealand that the Meteorological Service will predict any major storm system that is coming,” Mr Jeffries said. A fully operating service was needed for the preservation of life and property and he was satisfied it could continue to meet those needs. The Minister said he rejected three accusations that had been levelled at the Meteorological Service in recent weeks: • It had been accused of making a 20 per cent retrenchment

in resources and money. Mr Jeffries said the cut had been in the order of 9 per cent and had been a response to years of over-expenditure, including $1.5 million last year. He said the Meteorological Service was within budget this year and this had not been at the expense of providing basic services. • It had been accused of reducing work capability by its staff reduction of 17 per cent. He said these staff cuts had not led to a 17 per cent reduction in the work done, or anything like it. • It had been accused of suffering from poor staff morale. “While it has been affected by the recent turmoil over staff and resources, and by public criticism of it, it is still a very professional meteorological service that has retained its high international reputation,” Mr Jeffries said.