PYLONS FROM MANAPOURI

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30064, 23 February 1963, Page 12

PYLONS FROM MANAPOURI

Italian Job Alleged

He had information which led him to believe that the Government wag going to let a contract to an Italian firm for the erection of transmission lines and pylons from the Manapouri hydro - electric power scheme, said Mr J. Mathison, M.P., last night. Mr Mathison said that the general manager of the New Zealand Electricity Department (Mr A. E. Davenport) had denied this. “I am not satisfied with that reply, and I am going to make further inquiries and pursue the question,” said Mr Mathison.

Mr Mathison said that he had sent the following telegram to the Minister of Works (Mr Goosman), in Wellington, today:

“Rumoured in Christchurch that Government have invited Italian company to plan and erect transmission lines from Manapouri scheme and invitation gives the company the right to bring Italian workers to New Zealand stop Please confirm or deny.” Mr Mathison said he had been telephoned by Mr Goosman’s private secretary, who said that the Minister was in the Buller-Nelson Area on National Roads Board business and could not be reached.

"The private secretary said he had referred the telegram to Mr Davenport who had said ‘Rumour incorrect’,” Mr Mathison said. “I am not satisfied with this reply and would like to have the Minister's answer. The letting of any tender to this company would mean that Italians would work here in conditions foreign to New Zealand’s standards for workers. It would mean that the New Zealand Electricity Department or ’“linistry of Works would not be doing the job and New Zealanders would be deprived of the work,” he said.