REPORT ON ARAPUNI

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 84, 25 June 1930, Page 6

REPORT ON ARAPUNI

ENGINEERS' REPORT

BUT NO RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE "HUSH HUSH" POLICY

WELLINGTON. June 2-1

The Minister of Public Works (the Hon. \V. 13. Tavenicr) to-day advised that ho now had received from his department a complete report on the recent trouble at tho Arapuni hydro-olec-trie works, and this would ho brought before Cabinet immediately. After Cabinet had consider ! this report, a

further statement would be made by l hi Minister.

Tlie ron-iyf now in the hands of ,t Minister deals only with what ' ■ i curred and does not include • '■:■■-

recommendation's as to uln.i action should be taken in connection with the repairs, etc The engineers' proposals in that co ■•■ •: will be put forward

in a subsequent i-p >'•! which will be prepared after the receipt and consideration of the geological report which is now being prepared by Br Tdarsdcn,, Dr Henderson and Dr Marshal] of the Scientific and Industrial Research Department and Professor Bartrum, of Auckland University. -Dr Marsdon, Dr Henderson and Dr Marshall are expected to ret urn to Wellington from Arapuni on Thursday morning, and their report is expected almost immediately after their return.

"The whole position," stated the Minister," is one of many and complex difficulties, and there seems little doubt but that Arapuni will be out of action for a least 12 months. Complaint has beni made during the last few days of a 'hush' policy in regard to Arapuni. T wish to make it quite clear that my object in insisting th/it all statements should be made through my own office was to ensure in view of many incorrect and more or less needlessly alarming statements that are being 'made, that only the correct information should go out. 1". as Minister, would not, of course, conceal anything of an informatory nature which my engineers considered should be made public. The gravity of the situation and the magnitude of the issues involved have made such action imperative. lam verv definitely of the opinion that it is the correct course to adopt. To refer to my action as a 'hush hush' policy is. to say the least, ridiculous. I have'nothing to' hide m regard to Arapuni and I consider the public are entitled, and rightly so. to know just what the position is, but I certainly do not agree that any statements which may be made by'persons speaking without full :in d 'complete knowledge should be taken as official Ike situation at Arapuni certainly is serums. Immediately Parliament meets I intend to take the first opportunity of Placing all the facts before the House. rhe full details of what occurred will be included in that statement, but in the meantime I do insist tha whatever statements are made must be authentic and for that reason be dealt with by myself as the official head of the Department."