Against Power

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30827, 12 August 1965, Page 1

Against Power

f.V Z. Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH. August 11. The largest protest meeting ever held in New Zealand would be convened if there was any likelihood of wasting the natural gas at Kapuni, the Mayor of Hawera (Mr F. W. Finer) said today. Mr Finer said it was interesting that the consultants’ second report confirmed the recommendation of the gas committee set up by the Taranaki Local Bodies’ Association. but he had misgivings. He was apprehensive of the nninions held by Mr D. S. Watt, general manager of Shell. B.P. and Todd Oil Services, Ltd., owners of the gas.

that it should be converted ito electric power. | It would not be presumptuous to say there was 75 per cent loss in converting gas to electricity, and a further 10 per cent loss would occur by way of line losses, said Mr Finer. “From this, one is forced to draw the conclusion that the Shell consortium has an axe to grind," said Mr Finer. “Perhaps it could be that they wish to protect their light oil industry for space heating and related consumers.” Mr Finer added that since the Government would presumably be paying royalties for gas at the well head, it surely was a matter for the public of New Zealand and its Government to decide how the energy will be used. “The gas is a tremendous asset to this country and it must not be wasted.”