Govt. Considers Taking Over Manapouri Scheme

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30028, 12 January 1963, Page 13

Govt. Considers Taking Over Manapouri Scheme

(Kid Zealand Press Association)

INVERCARGILL, January 11. A departmental committee is studying the possibility of the Government subject to agreement with Comalco Industries Pty ? Ltd., taking over the development of the Manapouri power project. This was confirmed today by the Attorney-General, Mr Hanan, who is the member for Invercargill.

He had been asked to com* tn ent on a report last month that it was understood

arrangements were being made then to have Government and Cotnalco repieoeutatives meet early thia year to discuss a revision of the Manapouri water rights agreement

Mr Hanan said that, in consideration of Comalco cancelling the present agreement, the Government could con-

sider granting Comalco an option on a block of the power from Manapouri. “The main Government intereat sterna, of course, from the possibility—or shall I say the certainty—that the power from Manapouri is by for the cheapest power available in New Zealand,’' Mr Hanan said.

“The taxpayer is, therefore. vitally interested, too, in having the cheep power to

the extent that Comalco may not want it”

Asked if bis comments could be interpreted to mean that Manapouri should take precedence over the Avie-, more power project, Mr Hanan replied: “Generally speaking, yes; but the question of the completion of available power will be relevant to the answer of that question.” It was said last month that if the Government developed the Manapouri project, it would be enabled to put into effect its policy of encouraging new industry by providing cheep power.