Affronted By Attitude Of Minister

Chronicle (Levin), 12 April 1949, Page 7

Affronted By Attitude Of Minister

Press Association)

(Per

J AUCKLAND, April 11. A refusal by the Minister in Charge of Stabilisation, Mr. Nordmeyer, to receive a deputation from the Auckland Electric Power Boaxd, was criticised by the chairman -of the hoard, M'r. O. J. Lovegrove, at a meeting today. Mr. Lovegrove said he had been so affronted by the Minister' s attitude that he had made it clear to an officer of the Stabilisation Commission, that that board was not accustomed to. bemg treathd in this manner. If appropnaoe representations could' not be made, it would see that the particuLar question was ventilated on the floor of the House of Representatives. Mr. Lovegrove said that with the board 's secretarv, Mr. N. M. Spee^, he *hadrvis,ited Wellington t'or a number of discussions, the most irn'portant" of these was with the - economic stabilisa tion ofiiee. However, just prior .. to departure from Auckland, they were .informed Uthat the Minister would not. grant an inter.view unless there wa^' further eyidenee to offer in support .or' the board 's application for bonuses to certain members of its staff and finai app-.'oval. of its,;.. stafl grading scheme "The board -hadkjip further. evidence to Submit, but it; would have welcomed an opportunity of .&mplifying the facts alreadv subniitted iu support of thu application," Mr. Lovegrove stated. "I feel that . the Minister should have extended the courtesy -requested. "