The Harper River Diversion

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17115, 9 April 1921, Page 8

The Harper River Diversion

We print to-day si telegram we havo received from the Hon. <J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, with reference to the Harper river diversion works. In this message Mr Coates does not clear up the difficulty arising from the apparent conflict between the views of his Department and the viows of the Progress League, but it "is nevertheless reassuring. The League's officiate have-spoken of the temporary diversion work-as'a ''gamble'," • but ''gambles" are of many kirid£ There is-the "even-money" risk, as we may

conveniently- call it, and there'is the thotisand-to-ono chance, and "everything in between. We have expressed, and wo repeat, that no avoidable risk of a breakdown of supply should be taken, and the question may be narrowed to this: whether the risk of trouble from the temporary diversion work is appreciably" more than the risk will bo if the permanent -work is completed.. One must suppose from the Minister's attitude, and the telegram wo have received from him, that his officers.do not' think it is. This is where the Department differs from the Progress League, and the public, which has had full statements from tho League and its advisers,. will ltot be satisfied until it receives equally' full statements from tho Department. . In the meantime the important assurance is given by Mr Coates that "in any " case Canterbury can rest assured that "the electric supply will be main"tained," that there is.no need, for anxiety, and that the Government is fully alivej to the interests of the province in T:his matter. When it is considered that this implies a readiness on tho Minister's part to meet the responsibility he is assuming for the continued security of the full promised supply of power from the Lake,' it -will be agreed that no more ample assurance could be given than is given in the Minister's telegram.. We can onlyhope that it is well-founded.