Mr Watt Replies To Power Plan Criticism

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29067, 2 December 1959, Page 18

Mr Watt Replies To Power Plan Criticism

(New Zealand Press* Association)

WELLINGTON, December 1. Far from obstructing the development of New Zealand, the Labour Government’s policy on power production was speeding up progress and expansion, the Minister of Works (Mr J. T, Watt) said today. He was replying to a statement by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holyoake) In which the Government was accused of procrastination over the Cook Strait power cable.

“Mr Holyoake says we are moving at a snail’s pace, but compared with the National Government’s procrastination and ineptitude we are jet-propelled,” Mr Watt said. “In construction, in production and in investigation we have outrun our predecessors. “The Labour Government set out to provide the people with a supply of power adequate to their needs. I challenge Mr Holyoake to say that power is not in adequate supply. , “In his statement, Mr Hoiyoake once again clearly indicates how little he knows of the country’s power situation. He has referred to the report the Government has received on the Cook Strait cable project. “This is a lengthy,’complicated and technical document. Apart from the investigations, the compilation of the report itself occupied many months. It is a report which requires much study, even by experts. “Mr Holyoake has not even seen this report. Therefore, he cannot know its contents. The public will assume correctly from his comments that, as usual, he is speaking on a subject he knows nothing about. “At last, Mr Holyoake has become interested in power development. It is only a few years ago that, as Deputy-Leader of the then Government, he showed no appreciation at all of the people’s power requirements. “When he, along with other members of the National Government, refused to accept the recommendations of their own departmental advisers, and delayed the construction of the major power schemes on the Waikato river for more than two years, he was guilty of procrastination in its worst forpi,” Mr Watt said.

“The decision to which he was

party had the effect of causing the greatest power shortage the North Island has ever had to ex-

perience. "This unwise decision also made it necessary for the National Government to compensate for its errors by constructing the coal-fired station at Mercer. This station produces by far the most expensive power in the country. “The recent decision to proceed with the construction of yet another station in the North Island—this one at Matahina—will enable the Government to give full and thorough consideration to the report on the Cook Strait cable recently received from Preece, Cardew and Rider, and, at the same time, provide an ample supply of power for the North Island in 1965. “The Matahina station is an example of the urgency which the Government places on the development of power,” Mr Watt said. “On September 14, the Planning Committee recommended to the Government that the Matahina scheme be adopted in principle. On October 21, the Government gave its approval for the construction of this station. “In the space of two months, the Ministry of Works is now in a position to invite tenders for the construction of the diversion tunnel.”