Start on irrigation study sought
Investigations for a major irrigation scheme on the central Canterbury Plains between the Rakaia and Waimakariri rivers are unlikely to be started soon but a review of the position is •ought The Minister of Works and Development (Mr W. L. Young) has advised Mr M. A. Connelly, member of Parliament, that there is no programme at present for the investigation < ’ i igation proposals in this area. Mr Young said that available resources and finance were being concentrated on the proposed Lower Rakaia irrigation scheme, on the south side of the Rakaia River, which is now under investigation. “Successive governments have determined that in the Canterbury area, after the Waiau scheme (now under construction) priority will be given to the Lower Rakaia scheme, which would then be followed by the Central Pla ! • scheme,” he said.
Mr Young was replying to Mr Connelly, who had written to him after a public meeting at Darfield recently, called by the Northern Central Plains Irrigation Com-
mittee, when one of the decisions taken was to seek the construction of a major scheme in the area as soon as possible. Mr Connelly commended to the Minister the general irrigation proposal for the area. Since receiving word from the Minister, Mr Connelly has written to him again seeking a review of the policy not to make any investigation on the central plains in the meantime. This review' was justified by the present employment situation and the continuing departure of people from the country and the need to provide as much opportunity for work as possible, Mr Connelly said. Investigations leading to the letting of contracts at the earliest opportunity would take up further slack in the labour force and idle capacity among contractors and others.
It would never be cheaper to make the investigations and to press ahead with such schemes; and the sooner this scheme was completed the sooner would farming be diversified and the earning of vitally necessary overseas funds significantly increased. ,
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Press, 20 July 1979, Page 3
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332Start on irrigation study sought Press, 20 July 1979, Page 3
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