Energy policy

Press, 1 May 1978, Page 16

Energy policy

Sir, — It is reassuring to see a widening recognition of the serious difficulties New Zealand will face unless it diversifies its enemy supplies. Your editorial article on April 27 gives welcome publicity to a subject that affects every New Zealand citizen. Your final sentence. “The key to New Zealand’s future lies in energy . . .”, encompasses a message of the utmost importance. Unfortunately the great maioritv of New Zealanders plod on through life, oblivious to the stormy passage ahead. In addition to research into possible energy alternatives, this country’s administrators should be preparing for the possibility that no cheap alternatives will be found. Anvone who is uncertain what our societv will be like without plentiful supplies of cheap energy should visit Ferrymead or the Canterbury Museum. If New Zealand fails to develop new sources of renewable energy (especially energy for transport) the resultant social upheaval will make 1978 seem a very tranquil year. — Yours, etc.. R. F. BROWNE. April 28, 1978.

Sir, — I am sure your correspondents do not realise the implications of neither forestry nor agriculture s'trvivine in New Zealand. Mr McMahon’s reasoning imnlies we . could not grow vegetables in our back yards for fear of soil degradation. However, we can: simplv because there are other forms of fertiliser available apart from superphosphate. Thousands of tonnes of it are produced by us every day. I.iauified animal and human waste is being used successfully overseas — whv not here? Obviously a major restructuring of conventional agriculture will be necessary’. Organic farming is not a dirtv word. There are only a limited number of raw materials from which energy can be extracted. It seems New Zealand has insufficient coal, oil or gas to be self-

sufficient, especially if the Government insists on utilising it as inefficiently as it is at present. — Yours, etc., JEFFREY SOLE. April 28, 1978.