Case Against Small Power Schemes

Chronicle (Levin), 12 June 1948, Page 6

Case Against Small Power Schemes

7 &• * Press Association?

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WELLINGTON, June 11. "The Governnrient lias been taken to task for not developing small power schemes now and for preventing their developme-nt by other authorities, ' ' said the Minister of Works (Hon. R. Semple) in a statemeht released to-' night. And in answei to .that criticism he said it liad always.beeh contended, aiid quite' rightiy/'that Water power. resources are a hational asset to be d_eveloped for the' good' of all and not" in aecordance with local'needs only, "Ttis does not iriean.that the Govprnment ihsists that all schenies must be built by its owij de'partments, " said the Minister, who'.added that provided that schemes are * iijlly. investigat'ed," burlt and operated in a,ccprdance wi'th national requirements, and with power' so generated intQ. the genei'al power PqoI, there was' normally no great' objection to snxaller schemes being built' by local bodies as_ in the past'. That, however. would brini iii a factor relat-. ing to the current , shortage of manpower and lnaterials. ' ' At present there is a very real necessity for maidng the best possible use of the nianpower and materials available, aiid it is with a full knowledge of the facts that I state yet again that the diversion of either nianpower or materials cannot be tolerated. " If small hvdro-eleetrie plants were in operation now, continued the Minister, thcy would be very welconie, but it must be realised that the sum total ot all the small practicable small power schemes would not .be comparable with the power, needs of .the present time. Most of the small power schemes lacked provision for a seasonal shortage. ' ' The Government -must be given credit for dofng all it can to .impro.ve the power position in ways best caiculated to secure the; desired results," said the Minister. "The task of making an adequate supply of electric power available is a formidable . pne, imt it is being taekled with coprage,. deterinination and a full appreeiation. of the countrv's needs and of all tho difliculties yet to be surmountcd.".