claims that Customs was being "unfairly cast in the role of villain in the situation at the Airport''.

Lawyer Tim Marshall said Finance Minister Grant Gibbons' attempt to blame his clients was not helping the situation at the Civil Air Terminal.

And he said the public should not believe claims that Customs officers had not taken industrial action, as packages which normally took 24 hours to clear were now taking three to four days.

Government had not taken any meaningful action since the couriers complained about the deplorable working conditions at the airport in 1992, he said.

While it was now prepared to renovate a new building, it had not given couriers any significant information about the terms of the lease "save that the couriers will be expected to agree a rent that far exceeds rents in the private sector''.

Mr. Marshall also shot down Dr. Gibbon's claims that couriers had been allowed free space at the Airport and were trying to take advantage of the situation.

Couriers had been charged a "per document/package fee'' of 90 cents to cover the cost of the space and associated expenses. This equated to an annual rent of $250,000.

Now Government was insisting couriers pay a rent of approximately $100,000 per year, $250,000 for Customs equipment and the 90 cent per package fee.

This would mean a fee of $600,000 for the first year and $350,000 a year thereafter. These payments did not include other business taxes, he added.

AIRPORT FLY CUSTOMS CUS