A.I.D.S. costs cut air pollution loans

Press, 16 July 1987, Page 9

A.I.D.S. costs cut air pollution loans

The cost of combating A.I.D.S. means the Government cannot afford to help Christchurch fight air pollution. A Health Department official told the Canterbury United Council it would be unsuccessful in its quest for cash to help pay interest on the money borrowed to provide the $l5OO interest-free loans to city home owners to convert from open fires to electric heating. Mr Roger Holden, principal air pollution officer in Wellington, told the council that “other national priorities, like A.1.D.5,” were more important than combating the city’s air pollution problem. The interest-free loan scheme is an integral part of the council’s “Stop the Smog” campaign — an effort to reduce healththreatening air pollution levels.

The United Council now believed the Government was “backing off’ from a promise it made late last year and in its 1984 election campaign. The council’s chairman, Mrs Margaret Murray, said the Minister of Health, Dr Bassett, could not back away from his promise or he would destroy an “example of cooperation between central and regional government”

The Government provided $300,000 in 1983 to cover the interest-free loan scheme. The rules were changed last year in that the Health Department provided the money to cover the interest on the money — the principal had to be raised by the United Council.

Trustbank Canterbury agreed to lend the council the capital and the Health Department was asked to provide money to repay

interest at 17.5 per cent There was no indication from Mrs Murray last evening as to whether she had been able to get a response from Dr Bassett when she telephoned him yesterday. However, the Minister’s office told “The Press” yesterday that Dr Bassett would send the council a reply today to its request for interest money.

“Dr Bassett can’t duck for cover. He must recommend to Mr Douglas (Minister of Finance) to provide the money for the interest payments. . “It would be a great example of co-operation between central and regional government — this is in this region’s interest and the Government must help the regions.” The United Council’s planning director, Dr Chris Kissling, contended that the Government pledged to help rid Christ-

church of air pollution in its 1984 election manifesto, which said: "Labour is committed to combating the problem of air pollution from open fires.

“Where a clean air zone has been declared Labour will provide interest-free loans for home owners who wish to convert to approved heating appliances; encourage local authorities to carry out conversions to approved heating appliances and waive payment until the property is sold; and give cash grants for conversion to Social Welfare beneficiaries and others for whom even payment on sale would be a hardship.”

The council is at present discussing with the Municipal Electricity Department the promise to waive payment until homes are sold and to assist elderly people convert from open fires.