National Development Bill

Press, 24 November 1979, Page 14

National Development Bill

Sir, — While we debate the National Development Bill let us not forget that the multi-national companies are already planning the division of what is left of our abundant energy resources. They plan not for our benefit but for their own. Their capital and energy intensive industries do not create jobs; rather they create huge industrial plants, they despoil this beautiful country and they put us further into hock to their financier friends. What we need are community-based small-scale lab o u r-intensive projects reiving on our skills, initiative and money. Then, with ownership and management in our hands we will begin again to feel a sense of control over our lives. Our lifestyle may be simpler but our sense of well-being will be vastly improved. — Yours, etc.. PHIL SAUNDERS.

November 23, 1979. Sir. — The Government’s proposals to turn the Cluthainto a second Ruhr Valley in the name of national development are grotesque. They will install a small number of massive factories at incredible cost which will be almost entirely automated and will export their profits invisibly by the internal pricing mechanisms of their overseas owners. The Government will be released from the embarrassment of its S6OOM investment in unused electricity capacity, and will continue to claim that environmental groups are holding up progress although it is obvious that conservationists have already been proved wiser than the Government on most energy issues. The National Party will attempt to win the 1981 election on the basis of these “decisive” actions, ignoring the obvious fact that New Zealand would

have been far better served by lower realistic electricity prices in the South, allowing the development by local talent of many smaller employmentintensive industries. — Yours, etc., ALAN WILKINSON. November 23, 1979. Sir, — Having just finished reading an article on the front page of “The Press,” November 22, I find myself to be in a very confused state. The article quotes the Drivers’ Federation, when discussing its attitude to the proposed National Development Bill, as stating: “Unions similarly will not meekly accept the imposition of development projects to which they are opposed . . . projects would be banned.” My confusion stems from the fact that I thought that the only political parties represented in Parliament at present are National, Social Credit and, to a limited extent, Labour. If the Drivers’ Federation is represented in Parliament would it please state how many seats it holds and in what electorates they are situated. Otherwise, Would they keep such threats to themselves. — Yours, etc., M. G. DOLLIMORE. November 22, 1979.