Steep power-price rises predicted

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33938, 3 September 1975, Page 2

Steep power-price rises predicted

(Xrw Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 2. Increases in power charges next year of between 70 and 80 per cent were suggested by Opposition speakers in Parliament today.

The rise would be necessary because of the Government's decision to hold hulk electricity tariffs at 1972 levels for its first term of office, they said. Mr E. S. F. Holland (Nat., Riccarton) said that the decision was because of the inability of the Government to govern, and that it was only a vote-catcher, “There have been significant changes since then.” he said, “but this inflexible Government has failed to respond to the changes. It is a weakkneed approach. The Govern-

,ment is shilly-shallying around. “The people are entitled to know what the Government proposes next year,” Mr Holland said, “if it is still the Government.” Mr Holland was speaking during the debate on the Department’s estimates. Mr L. W. Gandar (Nat., Ruahine) said that the Government had been left with a stupid promise, and charges would have to increase by between 70 and 80 per cent. The Minister of Electricity (Mr Bailey) said that the Government had said that it would not increase bulk tariff charges. “We haven’t: done so,” he said. “We will 1

,be reviewing the charges in the New Year. l.t must be an upwards review, only a fool would say downwards.” Nuclear power Mr Bailev said that three possible sites for nuclear power stations are being studied in the North Island. He named one as Makara, - on the south coast of Wellington, but would not say where the other two were. Mr Bailey emphasised, how-, ever, that investigations only were being carried out. “The studies do not mean nuclear stations would be built at anv one of the three; sites,” he said. He said that the Govern-, ment remained firm that there) would be no decision on, nuclear power for New Zea-| land before 1977. Mr W. L. Young (Nat., Miramar) said that there was real concern in New Zealand that adequate safeguards should be provided not only for nuclear stations themselves, but also for the disposal of nuclear waste from

(the stations. . ) He said that the Govern-) ment should make sure that) those safeguards were pro-1 (vided for before going ahead I(with a station at Makara. I Mr J. B. Gordon (Nat.,) (Clutha) asked the Minister iwhether the Department now) (meant to bring forward the I date of intro'’ ction of) , nuclear power. When the Minister denied this, Mr Gordon asked him where the extra power was coming ; from. The decision on nuclear power would not be made until 1977 and he would rather see indigenous resources developed than go nuclear, Mrj Bailey said.