Protest about industry ‘hits economy’

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

Protest about industry ‘hits economy’

New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 2.

Protest groups were hindering New Zealand’s economic recovery, the research director of the Bankers' Association (Mr W. A. Poole) told the Wellington Lions Club today.

“It seems that all development projects that might become, or have become, the cornerstones of economic recovery i have been delayed by] the protesters and I hedged about with restrictions,’' he said. Mr Poole criticised a rec-1 |ent attack on the planned’ I expansion of the Bluff alu-[ j minium smelter by the! Deputy Leader of the Values Party (Ms Cathy’ Wilson). | Ms Wilson’s statement said: I the project would cause in-> I creased pollution, consume i more electricity that would] i otherwise be available for! i domestic use. and use power I subsidised by taxpayers. Mr Poole called her claims i incredible. The intent of I such protests was to attract; : public support and bog down I projects, “if any industry or] [authority is silly enough to

I take the complaints seri-' [ously.” “It is this response that,; by creating time-consuming: [studies, bogs down develop-l jment and probably has the! [serious effect of overloading! j management with unneces-; [ sary problems.’’ [ Moving on to the subject! [of the immediate future of] [the economy, Mr Poole said,: [“We are. covering, -ana will; [cover, as well as we can,; ithe position by borrowing.; [“But the effects of I [stagnation, falling profits,] [and falling take-home pay are I feeding into the private sec-i [tor, to slow us down still : [ more. “The next 12 months will! 'not be happy ones.”