Shattuck Reports ‘Contradictory’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30831, 17 August 1965, Page 16

Shattuck Reports ‘Contradictory’

(N Z Press Association? GREYMOUTH, Aug. 16. “It is our considered opinion that not only will the pipeline be built and maintained with the taxpayers’ money, but also taxpayers’ money will be used to assist the gas undertaking to make the conversion to natural gas,” said a statement by the Grey and Buller Miners’ Central Committees after a meeting today to study the second Shattuck report. “This is in complete contradiction to a statement made by Mr Shand, who has said “The prime consideration is that this gas should pay for itself. If it cannot stand on its own feet it cannot go. “The two Shuttuck reports are contradictory, and in many respects inconclusive, yet in spite of this, some persons in high places are prepared to go ahead with the use of natural gas as a premium fuel, and in so doing blindly crucify the coal-min ing industries in both areas, to the benefit of mainly over-

seas monopolies,” the committee said. “We have been led to believe that natural gas was not going to interfere with the industrial coal market, but the No. 2 Shattuck report discloses that: The natural gas will be sold at prices competitive with electricity and light fuel oils, but not at prices low enough to compte with heavy fuel oils and coal.’

“Yet in the same report we find stated: ‘There are also large markets for low-price natural gas to be burned in combination with heavy oil and coal for heating large commercial buildings and to furnish heat in industrial processes.’

“So as to get a more complete picture than that disclosed in the reports a delegation from the Grey Miners’ Central Committee and the Buller Miners’ Central Committee, is going to Wellington to seek additional information. After this a full report will be prepared for presentation to all organisations,” the statement said.