‘No ambivalence’ in Labour’s dam stand

Press, 15 July 1982, Page 16

‘No ambivalence’ in Labour’s dam stand

The member of Parliament for Christchurch Central and Labour Party spokesman on constitutional affairs,. Mr G. W. R. Palmer, has challenged the interpretation of his party’s stance qn the Clutha dam issue that was presented in an editorial in “The Press” yesterday. Mr Palmer said yesterday that the editorial misrepresented the Labour Party’s position. “We have always opposed a high dam at Clyde and continue to do so. Our policy is for a low. dam. There is no ambivalence,” he said. Mr Palmer said that the Labour Party would have to accept a water right for a high dam if the Government could secure such a water right by due process of law. “We. are clear that there must not be any special legislation to frustrate the legal process on which the Government itself embarked to secure a water right,” he said. , .“No application for a water right for a low dam at Clyde has been, made by anyone, The courts cannot in the present proceedings rule on a low dam because there is no such case

in front of them. Furthermore, the objectors in the legal proceedings do not object to a low dam. They have said so repeatedly. “If there is to be a low dam at Clyde, a water right for that must by secured under the Water and Soil Conservation Act. One method provided for in the Act is to make ah Order-in-Council. That, is not constitutionally objectionable because it does not cut across any litigation. Alternatively, ’ a special Act of Parliament could be passed for a water right for the low dam, That is unobjectionable for the same reason,” Mr Palmer said. “Labour told the Government it was prepared to agree to legislation. to speed up the legal processes for the high dam and it would facilitate a low dam. The Government rejected the offer because it did not give the Government a guarantee of a high dam at Clyde. “The present legal posture of the case makes, the constitutional distinctions between the methods of securing a water right for a high dam and a low dam of fundamental importance,” Mr Palmer said.