ESSENTIALITY OF GASWORKS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27896, 18 February 1956, Page 10

ESSENTIALITY OF GASWORKS

FULL STUDY BEFORE REPORT (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. February 17. No public announcement on the essentiality of any gasworks would be given until full consideration had been given to all undertakings, said the chairman of the Electricity and Gas Co-ordination Committee (Mr C. C. Holland) today, after a two-day meeting nf the committee. At a later stage, a full report and recommendations would be made to the Minister in charge of the State Hydro-electric Department (Mr W. S. Goosman). he said. Mr Holland explained that it was felt that entirely’ wrong implications could be caused if a short list was published covering only certain of the undertakings. During the two-day meeting, confidential information affecting all except one gas undertaking in New Zealand had been considered. A comprehensive statement had also been received from the general manager of the Slate H'-dro-electric Department (Mr A. E. Davenport), dealing with the demand and supply of electric power in the immediate future. Mr Holland said the committee had been very pleased to learn that meetings and conferences had been held at several centres between representatives of the gas undertakings and electric power supply authorities, and the committee hoped those would continue. On the other hand, the committee was concerned that in one or two cases statements had been made which might later cause embarrassment. It was the policy of the Government to co-ordinate the supply of both gas and electricity, and renresentatives of the two organisations had agreed that co-ordination was necessary.

“The committee has passed a resolution which will be sent to the two associations asking that propaganda and statements of a controversial nature from either party should cease until the committee has completed its deliberations.” said Mr Holland.