Flying kiwi

Press, 21 August 1989, Page 12

Flying kiwi

Sir, —I was disappointed to see (August 12) that a gormless, inflatable kiwi, designed and manufactured in England, was to float in British skies as part of New Zealand’s 1990 celebrations. Surely some inspired, indigenous art work would better represent us to the world in the 19905. Neil Dawson’s "Globe,” suspended above the Haymarket in London, would do much more to assert our Pacific perspective and independence than this awkwardlooking kiwi. — Yours, etc., JULIET NICHOLAS. August 14, 1989. Export costs

Sir,—Mr Bolger stated recently that it costs $l2 to ship a lamb to Britain. This is 50 per cent more than the hourly rate of $8.20 an hour that watersiders are paid. In 1962 the hourly rate for watersiders was 7/6 and freight for lamb to Britain was 10/-, which was only 30 per cent more than they were receiving. In 1962 there were 820 watersiders in Lyttelton; now there are 350. Where have all the promised benefits of containerisation gone? Not to port workers or farmers in this country, but into the pockets of overseas shipping ■ companies.—Yours, etc., L. WELLS. August 16, 1989.