Confidence In Mr Shand

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31384, 1 June 1967, Page 1

Confidence In Mr Shand

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 31. The Electrical Supply Authorities’ Association today passed a unanimous vote of confidence in the Minister of Electricity (Mr Shand). It took this action at a special meeting to discuss the Government’s move to raise the bulk supply tariff from October 1. “I’ve no desire to continue in this post without the good will of the electrical industry,” Mr Shand said to the meeting. The association has objected that the Government’s decision to lift the capital contribution from 25 per cent to the maximum of 50 per cent of production costs was made without consultation. It wants the rise held over at least to April 1, the beginning of the next financial year. Mr Shand denied that he had failed to consult the association on the proposed rise. He said the Government had decided that a rise was necessary and he had explained that he had to confer with the association. No irrevocable step had been made by the Government before the association was told, Mr Shand said. The figure of 12) per cent for the increased power char-

ges to the consumer was an average figure. Mr Shand said some members of the association had carried out a degrading campaign of personal abuse over the tariff issue. He could take criticism, but it went too far when he had been accused of lying, breach-

ing faith and deliberately deceiving the country. , The meeting unanimously disagreed with the method of the increase and proposed fuller discussions with the Government before future decisions were made.

A resolution was also passed opposing the imposition of the increased levy before April 1. The association’s president. Mr A. W. Gooder, said there was some doubt over the legality of the Government’s move.

“But we don’t intend to hide behind this as the Government could correct it by changing the legislation,” he said.