Mining need ‘remote’

Press, 19 August 1983, Page 4

Mining need ‘remote’

PA Invercargill The need to mine Southland’s vast resources of lignite was relatively remote, the Minister of Energy, Mr Birch, told a meeting of farmers yesterday concerned about the loss of land it might involve. Mr Birch said that mining would be a last resort, and, in any case, could not begin before the early 19905.

But the Minister told the Southland Federated Farmers meeting that, “the day may come when the New Zealand farmer may be desperate for home-pro-duced fuels.” The research of the lignite field now under wav would, in that

event, be invaluable. Opposition to lignite mining was symbolised by the presentation of a “Southland swede” to Mr Birch, accompanied by the cryptic message: “It’s not hand-outs we want — it’s hands off!”

Mr Birch said that opposition to evaluation was “cutting off our nose to spite our face.”

He announced the formation of a lignite advisory committee made up of representatives from groups likely to be affected by the work now under way. It would meet regularly, in Otago and in Southland, and Federated Farmers would be invited to participate.