Govt ‘not facing’ Chch pollution

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32702, 3 September 1971, Page 16

Govt ‘not facing’ Chch pollution

The Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Clean Air Society believes that the Government is not facing up to the problems of air pollution in Christchurch.

“After Government refusing to co-operate with local bodies to arrange additional building loans to cover cost of efficient house insulation, we are now told that electricity charges are to be increased by Government as well,” the president of the Christchurch branch of the society (Mr P. V. Neary) says in a supplied statement. He said that Central Governments in countries where air pollution had been firmly tackled, had played a vigorous role in encouraging the use of smokeless fuels in problem areas. "Is Christchurch to be kept as an example of what not to do when you have an air pollution problem?” ‘lnefficient fuel used*

Mr Neary also said that although clean air enthusiasts had nothing against coal it was true however that more coal was burnt inefficiently than domestic fuel oil. “We speak with a 'clean air* bias and have no concern with the self-interests of any of the various fuel industries, but are concerned when the mine workers attempt to use political pressure to price home heating off the market” He wanted “fair breathing conditions" for the people of Christchurch and would like

to see the whole cost structure of coal and oil fully published for open comparisons.