Minister hints county may lose power franchise.

Press, 30 August 1980, Page 1

Minister hints county may lose power franchise.

The Heathcote County Council could lose its authority to reticulate electricity if it continues to refuse to sign a new bulk electricity supply agreement. A 6 per cent increase had been agreed between the Minister of Energy (Mr Birch) and the Supply Authorities’ Association, which represents the 61 authorities throughout New Zealand. “I do not see this as an argument for 6 per cent, but for the indiscriminate escalation of electricity prices in New Zealand,” said the chairman of the Heathcote County Council (Mr J. M. McKenzie). “It is time Someone made a stand over this type of political thuggery-” If there is no agreement with the county council, the Minister will consider finding another authority to reticulate power in the county. “The consumers will not be let down. We can always find an alternative supply authority,” Mr Birch said. “The county council is being childish in its approach, as we have already successfully reached an agreement with the parent body.” Mr McKenzie said the telephone had been going night and day in support of the council’s stand. “I have never had such a busy day in my council career,” he said. Already Heathcote County’s action has been backed by the Waimairi County Council, a Social Credit spokesman and a number of glasshouse growers. A call has also been made for the Christchurch M.E.D. to consider similar action.

The Waimairi County chairman (Mr D. B. Rich) said there was a strong case for cheap electricity in the South Island “particularly with the air pollution problem in Christchurch.”

“We seem to have been given a raw deal from the Government and my council is, concerned that the Government seems oblivious to the problems in the city,” said Mr Rich. Waimairi was pleased to see Heathcote take the stand as a power supply authority and hoped that, the M.E.D. would “take up the challenge to do likewise.” “We just hope fthat party politics do not stop it,” he said. ' Social Credit’s Canterbury regional spokesman, Mr J. D. ■ Gribeen, described the stand by the council as the brightest thing seen on the local body horizon for a long time. He said it had his unqualified support. Christchurch people had just come through one of the worst winters of pollution —“if ever a decent reduction in the cost of power is 'needed for our general health . reasons alone, it. is now.”.' ■ It was Social Credit policy to cut the cost of electricity to South Island consumers, Mr Gribeen said. ' Glasshouse growers in Heathcote County will also lend their support to the council’s action. One of the glasshouse owners, Mr A. W. Smith, said about a dozen growers met yesterday morning. The main outcome of the meeting was a deci-

sion to . support- Mr McKenzie. - : , : j Mr Smith, who was a member-of a delegation of growers which approached the council; asking for it to 'do something about high power costs, ’ said than some growers could be forced out of business. But most would probably be able, to stay in busing W.although they would; have to use their glasshouses for something else,' else. ‘ The growers would be prepared to join Mr, McKenzie in a delegation to approach Mr Birch.