NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 129, 25 February 1919, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY

In spite of tho incontestable evidence that is available of the immense profits to bo obtained from the development of hydro-electric energy, the danger is still in clear sight that the exploitation of the greater sources of water-power in this country may be indefinitely delayed on account of the cautious and unenterprising methods to which the Government is addicted. On the other hand, commendable enterprise is being shown in various local districts throughout the Dominion in promoting schemes of power production. These ..local schemes are comparatively small, and it would be -more satisfactory to see progress made with the harnessing of the three main sources of supply in the North Island. Still the results in prospect from the local ventures may. easily be such a-6' fully 'to warrant the people.of particular areas in pushing ahead, without waiting for the slow development of the Government scheme. In giving evidence ! before the Industries Committee, 1\1r; Evan Pamiy, Chief Electrical Engineer, unreservedly took the view that the enterprising development of local schemes was advisable where suitable conditions existed, and in his report which was laid before Parliament last session he stated that provision was made for ultimately linking up with subsidiary sources of supply as well as with the main generating stations. A 'limited subdivision of generating capacity, with interconnected transi mission, is preferable, he observed, ! to the single generating station, because it gives greater security of supply by ensuring that no industry is wholly dependent on one power station. It thus appears that though the development of the State scheme may ultimately provide cheap power, local installations in suitable areas should retain permanent value and remain permanently useful. It seems to be already assured that these local schemes will play an important part in the cheapening of power; and the stimulus to the expansion and extension of industries which arc the outcome of hydroelectric development wherever it is carricd out on sound lines. It is to be hoped also that the enterprise shown in particular districts wilt awaken a degree of emulation in tfle Government where the prorccution of its own ambitious programme of hjdro electric development is concerned.

* »_ » * Not long ago it was reported that the elections in German Austria indicated a desire on tlie part of its people to link up with Germany,, and now it is stated that the German National Assembly is demanding this union as one of the conditions of a just peace. It is nob without interest that even in Germany the projected union has. been denounced as in every undesirable. An outspoken pronouncement on the subject was made recently by Prince Lichnowsky, whose views carry the more weight since he has had the courage, while the Kaiser and his gang still held sway at Berlin, to expose and denounce their criminal duplicity. Remarking that he was unable to support the joining of German Austria to Germany, Prince Lichnowsky wrote: ■

The Alpine districts, with tlieir prevailing Roman Catholic population and outspoken Austrian character, would only hi a burden to us. Vienna has been a capital too long,to be.satisfied' with the part of a provincial town. The geographical position, separated from us by Bohemia and Mbravia, is . absolutely against conjunction, which .Iwould be bound to involve us in quarrels with the Czechs, Magyars, Slovenes, and Italians. Either the new State of German Austria should stand by itself, with Vienna as its capital, or else join up with the Czechs, and perhaps wit.h the Hungarians and Slovenes, Swiss-fashion, on a federalist basis.

In the Game article Prince Lichnowsky dilated upon the advantages of a composite federal State extending from Bohemia and German Austria to Trieste, but admitted that all the principal racial groups concerned were opposed to such an arrangement. The chief interest of his survey is in the evidence it affords that the German fragment of the late Hapsburg Empire has no community_ of interest with Germany. It is thus suggested that its alleged willingness to link up with that country must. bo attributed rather to the rfpy of political. intrigue than.to'R genuine expression of the desires of its population.

Those who are giving up their time and working with such enthusiasm on behalf of the children of soldiers who have laid down their lives or been crippled in the service of their country should find good ground for encouragement in tho sympathetic reception accordcd their request for assistance by the newspaper proprietors now meeting in Wellington. Mr. S. ICirkcaldie, chairman of the committee, and the other gentlemen who have interested themselves in making a success of the Trcntham Art Union Scholarship scheme, have been placing before .■the public-, many good and sound reasons _ why they should lend their aid to build up the fund necessary to place the scheme on a stable footing. But the times have proved unfortunate. Public attention has been distracted—first' by the influenza epidemic, later by the armistice and the ending of the war; and still move recently by the events arising out of the cessation of hostilities and the homecoming of anxiously awaited sons', brothers, ' and husbands from the battlefields overseas. Thus'in spite of the merits of the Soldiers' Children Scholarship scheme, and the great appeal it should make to the sympathies and gratitude of all classes, it has been difficult to focus public attention on it in such a manner as to carry it along with that irresistible j enthusiasm which has crowncd with ! success _so many earlier efforts of a patriotic nature. Now that the acI tive sympathy and support of prac-

tically the whole of the Press of the Dominion has been enlisted the prospects at oncc assume a more hopeful aspect. The cause is one which fully merits public support; it has as a foundation generous contributions by the people of Hawkc's Bay totalling over £6000 in value, donated as prizes in the art union, and the "controlling" organisation is headed by business men of tho highest standing in the community, thus ensuring sound and capable management.