Get back in your box

Friday 28 August 2009

DON’T you get heartily sick of namby-pamby, bleeding-heart liberals and their stick-in-the-mud notion that containers are primarily a means of shifting cargo between world ports, rather than keeping criminals under lock and key?

Last Word understands that in New Zealand, Judith Collins — a politician who, we understand, rejoices in the title of corrections minister, which probably isn’t as saucy as it sounds — is planning to bang up cons in Rimutaka Prison in surplus boxes.

A new unit will provide beds for 60 inmates at a cost of NZ$63,000 ($43,000), which is substantially less than conventional prison accommodation.

Ms Collins is looking to cut costs further in future and is considering proposals to make prisoners do the conversion work themselves.

But hand-wringing do-gooders such as Peter Williams, president of the Howard League for Penal Reform, has blasted the scheme as bringing about “tin shanties and slum prisons”.

He has even called for them to be air-conditioned in summer and heated in winter. What does he think prison is — a holiday camp?

The move has also been slammed by Maritime Union of New Zealand general secretary Trevor Hanson, who says: “New Zealanders needs secure jobs, not jail cells.”

We at Lloyd’s List can have no truck with such social worker sentiment. Given that containers are regarded as the last word in luxury by stowaways, they are more than good enough for Kiwi crims, especially if container lessors can flog worn-out units to the New Zealand government at suitably inflated prices.

China’s doing just fine

MANY of the stories coming out of China would suggest the country’s factories have become ghost towns as exports have plunged.

However, an industry executive who visited industrial zones in the country recently presents a very different picture.

He said the economy in many smaller to mid-sized Chinese cities was still faring well and while factories were only operating at around 70% of capacity, there was still plenty of business.

Despite the global economic downturn he said many people were still far better off than they were 10 years ago and enjoying the fruits of their success.

Greek shipping to the rescue

FIRES that ravaged the forested northern suburbs of Athens last weekend once again tested the emergency resources and planning of the Greek state.

The toll on nature, lives and possessions might have been even higher if citizenry did not augment the available public services.

In this context it is good to see the maritime industry has done something. Last year the Union of Greek Shipowners donated six firefighting vehicles and more than 100 ambulances, paid for with donations after the last major blazes.

Financial support also went to families affected by the 2007 fires, which razed much of the Peloponnese.

The shipping community must continue to play a social role with generous and well-targeted help.

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