HIGH VOLTAGE IN HOUSE

Chronicle (Levin), 18 August 1949, Page 6

HIGH VOLTAGE IN HOUSE

Press Assoctation )

Electricity Debate Ends In Challenge-

(Per

WELLINGTON, August 17. So little f aith has Mr. W. S. Goosman, M.P. for Piako, in the Maraetai hydro-electric scheme operating before 1952, that he has offered £100 to charity if any member of the Government can prove him wrong. The challenge was accepted hy Dr. A. M. Finlay (North Shore) with an important proviso. Hon. R. Semple, answering, Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Otago Central) who had inquired about negotiations overseas for hydro-eleetric eonstruction contracts, said:."It is the normal praetice to let overseas contracts for the principai items of plant and machinery for hydro-electric works, and specifieations are now ready for certain equipment that will be required in the next few yea-rs. However, overseas eurreney problems have become aceentuated recently. A decision as to what tenderS will be called for will be made after the Government has re-examiped the position ip the light of the present eurreney situation. " Mr. W. Sullivan (Bay of Pienty) criticised Mr. Bemple for not being more specific about hydro-eleetrie. contracts. Maraetai would not be finished by the time suggested and would not be geherating power before 1954 or 1955 by which time there would be a haeklag of electricity demand suffieient to absorb Maraetai 's full capacity. Some East Coast boroughs were con templating refusing a supply of electricity to new houses because of the shortage of power. It was essential to develop small schemes such as could be developed on tle Rangitaiki River to meet the "tough spot" which threatened until the major schemes could be finished. Mr. W. S. Goosman (Piako) said the Minister had evaded the issue. Some machinery for Maraetai had been in the country ■nearly four years and would not be required for some time yet. The Government gave a considerable portion of that order to the United States, claiming that British quotations were dearer but as we sold our produce to Britain, we must buy from her. The House wanted to know whether dollars now urgently needed for otlrer things, were to be spent ou plant for. the Roxburgh scheme and the- Minister had evaded that issue. Mr. Goosman said Maraetai would produce no power before 1952 and he challenged any Government member to donate £100 to any charity if that statement were proved wrong. He said some months must elapse after the installation of the first unit at Maraetai before the second unit would be harnessed aud at the very earliest Maraetai would not be generatiug at full capacity before 1955. This year, with an abundant water . supply, power shortages were widei spread in the North Isiand and if drought couditions arose between now i and the completion of Maraethi; 'tTiero