Administration of energy

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33077, 18 November 1972, Page 23

Administration of energy

(From Our Own Reporter)

WESTPORT, November 17.

“It is strange to hear of a ministry of energy resources proposed by our present Government which has no link with the Mines and Electricity Department or the petroleum industry,” said the Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Watt) in an address at Westport.

Mr Watt said that a new Labour Government would closely administer all forms of energy resources. Decisions, especially those on the future of the Buller coalfields, would be made by the Minister not departmental heads.

Mr Watt criticised the views of the committee of departmental officials that lack of electric power would handicap the development of the West Coast when generating resources were right on its back door to serve a coal-fired station with ample hydro-electric resources also available for peak loading. Claiming that Labour would complete an attractive tourist circuit from Collingwood to the Haast by pushing the Karamea-Collingwood road through, Mr Watt said that the Government should always meet the demands of tourists with adequate reading instead of placing some burden on local bodies.

“It is time to assess whether we are getting real value for the money spent on reading and, if we are elected, we will arrange a roading conference to check on the method of subsidies

and if the State should take more responsibility for arterial routes,” said Mr Watt.