NITRATES FROM THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3197, 22 September 1917, Page 6

NITRATES FROM THE AIR

The attitude.of hostility adopted by tho Minister of Public Wokks towards the project of utilising the water-power running to waste at Milford Sound for tho extraction of nitrates from the air is rather difficult to understand. . It is admitted that the industry if established would be of immense value to £>ew Zealand as ensuring a regular supply of a valuable fertiliser for the farms of the country, probably at a cheaper rate- than it has been procurable in the past. The promoters of the scheme- are prepared to risk their capital in the undertaking; they havo assured themselves of the suitableness of the location of thoir proposed enterprise, and'are prepared to submit to such reasonable safeguards as the Government may deem desirable. And yet the Minister, with an air of marked hostility, denounces the project, and declares that tho Government will not grant the necessary permission for tho establishment of this valuable industry. Why? Because, _ Mb. Phaser, says, the Government is not going to allow tho water-power of the Dominion to be-used by private individuals or companies except for •mall or trivial purposes. lhat is to sav, no matter how valuable an enterprise may be to the Dominion ifc is to be blocked by the Government if it is of a large and important nature dependent on tho, waterpower which >is now running to waste in such enormous volume throughout New Zealand. With the principle that.the Government should exercise a proper care to conserve the water-power' of tho Dominion for the benefit of tho peoplo generally no one can quarrel. Bub it is carrying the principle !o an absurd extreme in practice to adopt the attitude that rather than allow private enterprise to make use. of it under proper safeguards it shall continue to run to waste. In tho, case of this proposed scheme tor "the extract of nitrates from the air there is no reason why the whole country should not benefit from its successful -introduction. , Instead of being discouraged and hindered the promoters should be welcomed, provided that reasonable and necessary conditions arc imposed. There is no reason why the- Government should not reserve to itself the power to take over the works of tho company at a fair valuation should it at any time be deemed desirable to do so. Permission to establish the industry could be made subject to a condition of that nature. But to prevent the establishment of an industry of such potential value to tho country on the grounds stated by the Minister of Public AVobks is on the face of, it sheer folly,- and savours of a dog-in-the-manger policy, quite out of keeping with the spirit of the times We have, strenuous years ahead, and industrial enterprise and the rapid development of our resources shou'd be encouraged, not impeded.