‘Excessive Powers For Minister In Lakes Act’

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30478, 27 June 1964, Page 19

‘Excessive Powers For Minister In Lakes Act’

Concern for the “excessive! powers” conferred on the Minister of Electricity (Mr Shand) under the ManapouriTe Anau Development Act, 1963, was expressed by the annual meeting of the New Zealand Scenery Preservation

Society last evening. On the motion of Mr I. Wilson the meeting agreed to recommend to the in-coming committee that the society consider making a statement that under the Manapouri-Te Anau Development Act, 1963, the society felt that excessive personal authority was conferred on the Minister of Electricity without any check on the use or misuse of this authority.

Mr Wilson said the Minister was able to do anything without reference to Parliament The powers were confirmed without leaving any check on them. The Minister could do aS he liked with both lakes.

These powers were dictatorial, said Mr A. Lush. The World has had enough of dictators. It was a pity to have dictatorial powers in a democracy. The country had ministers who refused to acknowledge their limitations and who would not seek qualified advice. Mr R. Nelson, the president of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, said during his talk to. the meeting that he had had talks with the Minister bn the matter and had been told that the Government had to have all powers, to keep faith with Comalco.. The Minister had said there was a stop in the act. When, in 10 years, if it was found necessary to raise the lake levels, it would be necessary to go to Parliament for the money. “That is when we shall have to fight,” said Mr Nelson.,

The meeting paid tribute to the able leadership of the

retiring chairman, Dr. P. Cook, who was not present. Dr. Cook did not seek reelection because he will go overseas next year and be away for some time. Officers elected were:— Chairman, Mr A, J. Scott; vice-chairmen, Mr H. G. Royds, -Professor H. Gray;

secretary, Mr I. Clark; treasurer, Mr D. Woodham: committee, Mesdanies H. S. Barker, G. Hennessey, and R. B. Neill, Messrs W. F. Baverstock, A. Lush, W. Croll, H. C. Gray, T. C. Hay, and I. Wilson, Drs. G. Riley, K. P. G. Mears, and I. Squires.