S.I. Industry Urged

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32114, 9 October 1969, Page 13

S.I. Industry Urged

South Island local bodies are upset by the likelihood of aluminium produced at Bluff with power from Manapouri being processed in the North Island. Two of the remits to be presented to the annual conference of the South Island Local Bodies’ Association, which will open in Blenheim today, ask the Government to use its powers to establish the industry in the South Island. A remit from the Timaru City Council reminds the association that it had urged the Government to sell large blocks of electric power to major industries prepared to establish their plants near the source of power generation.

The Westland County Council asks the association to tell the Government of its promdse to do all in its power Short of compulsion to

encourage industry in the South Island; and says this undertaking should be honoured when aluminium produced at Bluff is processed. Better Access

Six of the 19 remits to the conference are aimed at improving access to South Island scenic attractions. The Eyre County Council

has a new idea on preventing the spread of litter. A remit proposes that it should be compulsory for a vehicle to carry anti-litter bags before it qualifies for a warrant of fitness. A container port in the South Island is advocated in a remit from the association’s executive. In support it says that half the lamb, nearly half the wool, and four-fifths of the seeds for export are produced in the South Island and that there is no doubt about the ability of the single railway line to Picton to provide a service guaranteed free from delay. Christchurch Remits The Christchurch City Council asks the association to support a reappraisal of fees paid to local authority members, and cites the demands that can be made on the members’ times by town planning activities. The council also proposes that councils should have the right to fill extraordinary vacancies by appointments. Another Christchurch remit asks that party affiliations of candidates should be permitted on voting papers. The council says this would enable voters confronted with long lists to mark their papers more expeditiously. The conference, which will be held today and tomorrow, will be opened by the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) and a guest speaker will be the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk).