WATER-POWER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 156, 21 March 1918, Page 6

WATER-POWER

NECESSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSED BY BUSINESS MEN. At the annual meeting of llie Industrial Corporation of New Zealand yesterday morning, Mr. L. Joll (Auckland) moved: —"That this meeting is of opinion that steps should he taken to urge the Government to do all in its power to bring all parts cf the Dominion into line with Canterbury by developing the hydro-electric schemes for power, light, and heat." He said thnt the industries of the- Dominion ought to be based upon hydro-electric power. Mr. Joll, read a short paper dealing with the benefits that would accrue to New Zealand from the development of the abundant waterpower that at present was running to waste. Hβ referred to the saving of coal, the simplification of processes, and the solving of industrial problems by the extended use of hydraulic e'eotrio pmver. Mr. H. Dearsley (Auckland) said that the benefits of electrical development would not stop at the factory. Cheap and abundant electricity would help to solve the problems of the homo by reducing the amount of labour required there. Mr. J. Black (Canterbury) said that in Canterbury he had seen an electric motor driving two thrashing machinos The method was simple and economical, and it absolutely eliminated the danger of fire. Mr. S. J. Harbutt urged that the time had come for business men to press the Government to proceed with the development of the Dominion's waterpower. It -was a scandalous shame that men who wanted to develop the country should be handicapped for want of power, and. should De required to payhigh prices for coal and oils when waterpower was running to waste. The industrial associations should lead an agitation on the subject. In the course of further discussion Mr. C. B. Norwood said he thought tho business community did not know enough about electric power. They ought to collect facts and figures iu order to enable them to place a business proposition before the Government. They had to consider not only the cost of production, but also the cost of ilistribution. They had to consider i whether the fanner would use electric I power if it were placed within his reach. He agreed that the matter should bo pressed upon the attention of the Government, but at the same time the industrial people should e'xtend their own knowledge of the subiect.

Air. W. Ferguson, chairman of the National Efficiency Hoard, said that Mr. Norwood had made an- important norc. People were very apt to be led by sentiment in dealing with matters of the kind. Hi had been found in noun, countries that the •itilisatidn of wawrpower was too expensive to be profitable. Ho believed that development uf water-power was practicable in New Zealand, and that something should be done to meet the needs of Auckland. The northern city might be able to usethe surplus power generated at Horolioro by the Waihi Company. It appeared that the Government could not undertake a bitf scheme of development at the present time, owing to the shortage of material and labour. But the Government should not bo blamed for the present- delay if it was making' plans for adequate effort in the future. He suggested that the confereuco should invite Mr. Parry, the Government expert, 'to make a confidential statement on the subject. He agreed that it would be good work in Mm meantime to create public opinion in favour of a scheme of development, if business men were sure of the success of the scheme, why not form a company on a big scale, mid put before (lie Government the request that the company should be allowed to take the work out of the hands of the Government? Further consideration of the subject was deferred in order that Mr. Parry might be invited to attend the conference.