The Dominion THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1918. HARNESSING WATER POWER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 54, 28 November 1918, Page 4

The Dominion THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1918. HARNESSING WATER POWER

Even a cursory reading o£ Mil. Evan Parry's report on hydroelectric development in the North Island will suffice to show that it opens big prospects. It is possible that in a detailed survey of the somewhat overwhelming array of facts and figures marshalled by, the Cliief Electrical Engineer some contentious issues may arise, but in regard to the broad question involved there is no room for difference of opinion. It is not in dispute that an enterprising exploitation of the wator-'power resources with which this country, is richly endowed is essential to its prosperous development. Efficiently carried out, hyclro-electric development will undoubtedly be a source of great wealth and prosperity to the Dominion. It offers, an enormous supply of cheap power for industry, transport, lighting, and other purposes, and as regards, ultimate possibilities it is impossible meantime to set limits, to its useful scope. Apart from its direct bearing upon' manufacturing industry and, in application to transport and in other ways, upori practically all classes of industry, both primary and secondary, hydroelectric development holds important possibilities in connection with the production of' nitrates—an essential fertiliser. It is well within the facts to say that as t/ime goes on the methodical utilisation of w&terpower will further directly or indirectly almost every productive activity in which ,the population of the Dominion a;, or is destined to be, engaged. In addition it is, of course, capable of greatly extended application to many services -which, though they do not 4cjd- directly to the total production of wealth, make in a most important degree for the comfort and well-being of the community. It is not the least attractive feature of the developl- - scheme 1 planned by Mr. Parry and-adopted, by the Government that it offers a partial solution of the .problems of employment incidental to the re-establishment of our soldiers in, civil life. The right policy for the period upon which we are entering will undoubtedly be to concentrate all available labour upon enterprises which will permanently enlarge the field of employment in the Dominion and its productive, capacity. Provided always that it is carried out on sound lines, hydro-electric development will take a, leading place amongst enterprises of this character.

Judging by., the contributions made by Ministers to yesterday's discussion in the House of Representatives, the Government seems to be working on sound principles in laying iti plans for harnessing the water-power of the Dominion. Tho Minister of Public Works was evidently well advised in insisting that if the scheme, of hydro-electri-cal development were to be successful it must be run not like ordinary Government Departments, but as a big commercial concern. The Dominion has suffered much loss in the past as. the result of a subor-

dination of national ■ to parochial interests. The > most conspicuous example of the fact appears, .of course, in the operations of the Department over which Sir William Eraser now presides. ■ In the construction of roads and railways free rein has been given to the hopeless policy of attempting to please everyone at once.. The results are a matter-.of familiar knowledge. It is certainly essential that an entirely different policy should be followed in carrying out the ambitious development of water-power which is now proposed. In so developing its hydro-electric scheme \is. to ob-

tain' the speediest and. best return upon the outlay involved the Government will be studying the interests of the whole Dominion. This city and the province behind it offer

a particularly promising field for hydro-electric development, and no doubt are assured of early participation in its benefits. Even were it otherwise, however, we should be bound to insist that the only sound policy to follow in carrying out a scheme of hydro-electric development or any similar, State enterprise is to regard it from a national standpoint and look to national results. The adoption of any other standpoint would at once retard the progress of the scheme and impair its results. In his speech yesterday on the hydro-electrical proposals, as in the Budget, the Minister of Finance laid strong emphasis upon the difficulty of raising funds for development work. To a material extent, however, the financial conditions and problems of the next few years will be governed by the progress of 'development work. - If 1 the work is carried out on right lines, not only in harnessing water-power but in other'direc-

tions, the country will be enriehed and its financial burdens' will be ■lightened as the work proceeds. Under these conditions a solution will no doubt appear for financial problems that may now seem to defy solution. Assuming that sound principles are'observed and sound

methods followed, the possibilities of national development in this country, even in the comparatively near future, arc not measured by its existing resources and borrowing powers.