Public grills King at bistro

Kaikoura MP Colin King says there is nothing he can do to help Wairau Valley residents who are concerned that TrustPower may gain acquiring authority over their land to build its proposed hydro canal.

Mr King was asked if he supported private property rights, and if so the rights of landowners who do not want TrustPower to gain permission to build a 48 kilometre canal crossing their land.

He was attending a community meeting held at Blenheim's Dodson Street Bistro last night.

The meeting was organised by National Party member Jessica Bagge to promote democracy. It attracted about 50 people.

Wairau Valley resident Alison Parr urged Mr King to raise concerns in Wellington that private property rights might be overruled for "such a small gain", referring to the 72 megawatts of electricity the TrustPower scheme is expected to generate.

Mr King said there was a process for private companies to apply for acquiring rights to build infrastructure deemed to be in the national interest.

"Then you don't support us?" Ms Parr replied.

"If that is the choice," Mr King said.

"There is a legislative process."

Several people criticised what they saw as the Government's failure to take note of the recent referendum on the repeal of section 59 of the Crimes Act, which allowed reasonable force for parents to smack their children.

Mr King said clear directives had been given to Child Youth and Family and to police to use discretion and he was disappointed that people still thought they would be criminalised for lightly smacking their children.

He said he would personally look into any charges laid against someone in his constituency under the law.

- The Marlborough Express

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